When Was the First Thanksgiving, Anyway?

Thanksgiving is an important holiday for families across America. We love to gather for a feast of turkey and all of the fixings. It's a time when we fellowship with others and count our blessings. And while we know that our Thanksgiving holiday tradition goes back a long way, when was the first Thanksgiving?

And did the first Thanksgiving meal include all of the food we're used to seeing on our own festive tables? We'll fill you in on all the details of the first Thanksgiving, when the official holiday started and how it has evolved over the years.

Related: What Is Thanksgiving?

When Was the First Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving started after the New England colonists survived a harsh winter after landing on Plymouth Rock. Although the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock in November of 1620, the first Thanksgiving or harvest celebration between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans wasn't until a year later, in November of 1621. 

When the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared their first Thanksgiving meal, a lot of the blessings the Pilgrims were grateful for were possible thanks to the Wampanoag Indians who were key to the survival of the colonists during that first harsh year after their arrival.

The second Thanksgiving meal was celebrated two years later, in 1623. However, Thanksgiving didn't become an official holiday until over two centuries later.

Our Thanksgiving today is modeled after the first Thanksgiving with the feast and giving thanks for our blessings.

Related: 50 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers to Impress All Your Dinner Guests

What Food Was Served at the First Thanksgiving?

Although the exact menu of the first Thanksgiving is unknown, there are many clues about what the feast would have consisted of. One such clue comes from an entry by Edward Winslow, the Pilgrim chronicler, into his journal that states that the governor, William Bradford, sent four men on a fowling mission in preparation for the three-day event.

The fowl killed during that hunt could well have been wild turkeys. In an account, by Bradford, of the founding of the Plymouth Colony, he stated about the fall harvest that “there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc.” So it is reasonable to suspect that the main course consisted of wild turkeys.

However, during that time, there were plenty of other fowl that were eaten regularly such as geese, swan, duck and chicken. Any or all of these could have been served. Instead of bread stuffing, they would typically stuff the birds with onions, herbs and nuts.

It is also known that venison was served. Winslow wrote that the Wampanoags brought with them five deer. So, there was definitely a lot of meat to partake of instead of our one traditional domestic turkey.

Since this first Thanksgiving was the time of the very first harvest, it is likely that they feasted on what they had grown. Things like corn, beans, carrots, lettuce and spinach were likely served as sides, just not in the form of some of our favorite casseroles like green bean casserole or corn casserole.

There would have been plenty of fruit as well, including cranberries, which may have been mixed with blueberries or raspberries. Potatoes would have been missing from the feast, however, as they were not yet grown in that area.

Finally, they would have had plenty of fish and shellfish to eat as well since they lived so close to the sea.

Related: 70 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes, From Savory to Sweet and Everything in Between

When Was the Official First Thanksgiving?

The first Federal Congress passed a resolution on September 28, 1789, asking President George Washington to recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. A few days later, the president issued a proclamation that Thursday, November 26, 1789, would be a day of public thanksgiving.

This was the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new constitution. Subsequent presidents issued proclamations for Thanksgiving as well, but the dates varied each time.

Related: Why Did The Pilgrims Really Come To America?

When Did Thanksgiving Become A National Holiday?

Thanksgiving did not become an official tradition after the first Thanksgiving feast. It wasn't until centuries later, in 1863, that President Lincoln declared it a national holiday. It was during the Civil War and the date to be celebrated was November 26.

In subsequent years, the date for Thanksgiving was always the last Thursday of the month of November. But, in 1942, President Roosevelt wanted to extend the Christmas shopping season, which always follows Thanksgiving, and changed the date to the fourth Thursday of the month which isn't always the last Thursday.

Next up, 75 Thanksgiving Wishes to Remind Your Loved Ones to Count Their Blessings