Understanding Thanksgiving Myths and Facts

Oct 17, 2024

Lecture Notes: Thanksgiving Myths and Facts

Introduction

  • Common misconceptions about Thanksgiving:
    • Association with Pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkey.
    • Thanksgiving's historical origins and traditions.

Pilgrims and Thanksgiving

  • Origins of the First Thanksgiving:

    • Celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621.
    • Not immediately a beloved annual tradition.
    • Connection made in the 1830s by New Englanders.
    • Originally religious events for thanks, involving fasting.
  • Identification of the Pilgrims:

    • Did not call themselves Pilgrims; called themselves Separatists, saints, planters.
    • Term "Pilgrims" popularized later from William Bradford's writings.

Thanksgiving's Historical Context

  • Union Victory and Lincoln's Proclamation:

    • Thanksgiving declared an official event in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln.
    • Celebration of the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
  • Religious Freedom and Pilgrims' Journey:

    • Pilgrims sought economic opportunity and religious freedom.
    • Fled England to the Netherlands before moving to America.
  • Relationship with Native Americans:

    • Cooperation with Wampanoag tribe based on mutual need.
    • Epidemic left lands vacant, leading to settlers' opportunity.
    • Native Americans likely not invited to the original feast; joined following gunfire.

Thanksgiving Traditions and Misconceptions

  • Turkeys and the Menu:

    • Venison was likely the centerpiece of the first feast.
    • Other possible foods: shellfish, squash, cornbread, berries, and plums.
    • No evidence of turkey, potatoes, or cranberries.
  • Pumpkin Pie:

    • Not a Pilgrim tradition; no ovens for pies.
    • Pilgrims might have eaten baked pumpkins mixed with milk, honey, and spices.
  • Turkey Pardon Tradition:

    • No evidence that Truman started it; possibly began with Reagan's joke.
    • Officially started by George H.W. Bush.
    • Pardoned turkeys often have short lives due to breeding.
  • Turkey Coma Myth:

    • Not solely due to turkey's tryptophan content.
    • Overall food intake, especially carbohydrates, causes drowsiness.

Black Friday

  • Origin of the Term:
    • Not related to economic profit.
    • First used by employers and police to describe post-Thanksgiving absenteeism and shopping chaos.
    • Current focus is on sales and consumerism.

Conclusion

  • Many elements of Thanksgiving are based on myths and modern adaptations.
  • Historical context often differs from contemporary celebrations.