The first Thanksgiving dates back to November 1621. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians enjoyed a feast together at the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts to celebrate a successful harvest. They ate seafood and goose—not turkey as we do today—and they competed in races instead of playing football.
William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth colony, organized America’s first Thanksgiving. But it wasn’t until November 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.
Football became part of the tradition when Yale University played Princeton University on Thanksgiving Day in 1876. In 1920, Gimbel’s department store in Philadelphia held the first Thanksgiving parade, followed in 1924 by Macy’s in New York City. Macy’s will hold its 91st parade this year.
The first Thanksgiving dates was in November 1621. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians enjoyed a feast together. This happened at the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.
They celebrated a successful harvest. But they didn't eat turkey. They ate seafood and goose. And they didn't play football. They competed in races instead.
William Bradford organized America's first Thanksgiving. He was the governor of the Plymouth Colony. Many years later, Thanksgiving became a national holiday. President Abraham Lincoln decided this in November 1863.
The first football game on Thanksgiving Day was in 1876. Yale University played Princeton University. In 1920, Gimbels department store in Philadelphia held the first Thanksgiving parade. Macy's in New York City followed in 1924. Macy's will hold its 91st parade this year.