We all know the common story about the first Thanksgiving: how the pilgrims invited the friendly Indians to join them for a three-day celebration of making it that first year, and having a good harvest; but their menu and what will grace our Thanksgiving tables are rather different. According to primary documentation materials*, deer, turkey, waterfowl, cod, and bass were the main dishes for the feasting — plus what the harvest provided, corn [wheat], Indian corn, and barley, but their peas were “not worth the gathering.” Based on their menu, turkey has stood the test of time. (This resource page gives you all the basics for successfully roasting a turkey, plus instructions for making the gravy and stuffing.)
Giving Thanks
Giving thanks that first Thanksgiving was one of the things noted in a letter written by Edward Winslow in December 1621. In it he remarks, “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.” Expressing gratitude is one of the hallmarks of Thanksgiving, and we have a few ideas about how you can embrace this tradition:
Create a thankfulness tree and invite guests to write on the leaves what they are grateful for in their lives.
Keep a gratitude journal. Take time every day to write down three things you are grateful for, and add the best thing that happened during the day.
Pay it forward. Taking time to be grateful for what we have by doing something for someone else is a great idea. We love this list of 60 selfless ways to pay it forward.
Just for Fun — Thanksgiving Trivia
Question: Of the original 102 pilgrims that came, approximately how many survived to celebrate the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: 50
Question: True or False — Thanksgiving is celebrated only in the United States.
Answer: False. Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving, but on the second Monday in October.
Question: What is the name of the famous rock credited to where the pilgrims first landed?
Answer: Plymouth Rock.
Question: What part of the turkey is saved and snapped as a superstitious good luck custom?
Answer: Wishbone.
Question: By the 19th century, celebrating Thanksgiving is said to have been the origin of what table tradition?
Answer: Having a kiddies' table for the children.
Question: True or False — The pilgrims dressed in colors, not just black and white clothing.
Answer: True. The puritans are purported to have worn mainly black and white; the pilgrims wore colorful clothing.
The BMW Management blog wishes all of our apartment communities a Happy Thanksgiving!
*Information taken from this website.