By: Chris Kadjan

In 1620, the pilgrims came to America on the boat The Mayflower, and settled, trying

to make a good life for themselves

After settling in America, the pilgrims found that it was hard to live through the harsh weather conditions.

• But……….

After a very hard first year, the fall harvest was plentiful with lots of corn, fruits, and vegetables. The pilgrims also began to catch fish, and obtain meat.

The Pilgrims started to settle into their new home. They began to build homes in the wilderness, they grew enough crops to keep them alive during the coming winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors.

• With the Pilgrims flourishing in the new world, their governor William Bradford, decided to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was shared with not only the Pilgrims, but the neighboring Indians were invited as well.

Thanksgiving was celebrated after harvest for through the years, but during the American Revolution it was suggested as a national holiday by Congress.

In 1817, New York decided to have Thanksgiving as an annual holiday. In the 1920’s New York decided to have a parade to celebrate the holiday. The parade is also the first time that Santa Clause is seen before Thanksgiving.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln decided to have Thanksgiving become a national holiday.

Thanksgiving is celebrated every year usually on the fourth weekend in November. The reason this is the date is because Thanksgiving is to be celebrated after the harvest.