Thanksgiving Day Explained
Subject: History Paper 2
Every November, America celebrates a holiday that almost has religious significance. It is called
Thanksgiving. This holiday is a significant holiday for us, as it ranks alongside Christmas and
Easter in our hearts as well as the nation's. This holiday is rich in tradition, but its origins are
from the very beginning of our nation's founding.
It was difficult times in the early years for the explorers who set out to explore the American
continent. These explorers, now called The Pilgrims faced severe weather conditions,
unpredictable relations with natives, disease, and other challenges while they built homes in the
wilderness. Their earliest homestead was in the northeast. The winters were brutal, and it was
difficult for them to build homes that would keep them warm and provide enough food. This
made America a dangerous place for men and women who wanted to raise families.
They were treated with joy and celebration whenever they received assistance from the native
population. Squanto, a Native American chief, saw the need for these families and made sure his
tribe was there to help them. Squanto provided food and advice on how to build shelters that
would keep them warm in winter. He also taught them how to fish and how to harvest other sea
creatures.
This act of friendship is what gave rise to the revered holiday of thanksgiving. It was the Virginia
Colony that established the tradition of collective thanksgiving prayers. This tradition is still in
