In recent years, some progressive activists have sought to rewrite the story of Thanksgiving, pushing narratives that often distort historical facts and undermine one of America's most cherished holidays. Thanksgiving, a celebration of gratitude, unity, and resilience, has been painted by critics as a holiday rooted in oppression. Here, we examine and debunk these common myths, setting the record straight with historical evidence.

Myth #1: Thanksgiving Celebrates Genocide

The Claim:
Some activists argue that Thanksgiving celebrates the genocide of Native Americans and that by celebrating it, Americans perpetuate a legacy of violence.

The Truth:
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was actually a celebration of cooperation and mutual survival between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. Historical records, including accounts from William Bradford’s journal, Of Plymouth Plantation, document a genuine alliance between the two groups. After surviving their first harsh winter with help from the Wampanoag, the Pilgrims invited them to join a three-day festival of thanksgiving after a successful harvest. This gathering represented mutual goodwill and respect, not genocide or conquest.

Myth #2: The Pilgrims Stole Land and Food from Native Americans

The Claim:
Progressives often portray the Pilgrims as thieves who stole land and resources from Native Americans.

The Truth:
Historical documents show that the Pilgrims established agreements and treaties with Native Americans, including the first formal treaty between European settlers and Native Americans in New England, signed in 1621. The Pilgrims initially settled in an area that had been abandoned due to a plague that decimated local populations. They found stored corn, which they used to survive, later making restitution to its owners. These settlers respected the land and sought to engage with Native tribes fairly, countering the narrative that they took resources without permission.

Myth #3: Thanksgiving Was Created to Celebrate the Massacre of Native Americans

The Claim:
Some activists argue that Thanksgiving was established to commemorate the killing of Native Americans.

The Truth:
Thanksgiving was officially proclaimed a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise.” Lincoln’s proclamation, issued during the Civil War, aimed to foster unity and gratitude across the nation. The holiday has no connection to any specific conflicts with Native Americans and is rooted instead in harvest celebrations and the tradition of giving thanks, long observed by various cultures and religions.

Myth #4: The Pilgrims Were Just Religious Extremists

The Claim:
Critics often depict the Pilgrims as intolerant religious zealots bent on imposing their beliefs.

The Truth:
While the Pilgrims were deeply religious, they were fleeing persecution themselves, seeking a place to freely practice their beliefs. The Mayflower Compact, their founding document, emphasized self-governance and mutual respect, laying groundwork for religious tolerance in the new colony. They maintained peaceful relations with the Wampanoag and respected their distinct spiritual practices, demonstrating a commitment to religious freedom rather than religious imposition.

Myth #5: Thanksgiving Ignores the Suffering of Indigenous People

The Claim:
Critics argue that Thanksgiving whitewashes history and ignores the suffering of Indigenous people, focusing only on the Pilgrims.

The Truth:
Thanksgiving commemorates one specific event—a peaceful feast in 1621—and not the broader conflicts that developed in later years. While it’s essential to acknowledge the complex and often tragic history between settlers and Native Americans, Thanksgiving itself honors a specific moment of goodwill and cooperation. This holiday encourages reflection, unity, and gratitude and is not intended to ignore or minimize the challenges faced by Indigenous people.

Myth #6: There Was No Turkey at the First Thanksgiving

The Claim:
Some argue that the traditional Thanksgiving meal is a fabrication and that turkey was never actually served.

The Truth:
While the exact menu isn’t fully documented, Edward Winslow’s firsthand account in Mourt’s Relation mentions “wild fowl,” which likely included wild turkey, as it was common in the region. Other foods like venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, pumpkin, and squash were also served. Though Thanksgiving menus have evolved, many original foods from the first feast remain staples in today’s celebrations.

Conclusion

The true story of Thanksgiving is one of cooperation, gratitude, and mutual support that transcended cultural barriers. Although the broader history of Native-European relations is complex, the first Thanksgiving remains a celebration of survival, unity, and cross-cultural friendship. Attempts to portray Thanksgiving as a holiday of oppression and conflict distort its origins and intent. By separating myth from fact, we can appreciate Thanksgiving for what it truly represents: a time to gather, reflect, and give thanks.

References

• Bradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647. McGraw Hill, 1981.
• Winslow, Edward. Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 1622; Applewood Books, 1963.
• Lincoln, Abraham. "Proclamation of Thanksgiving." October 3, 1863.
• Philbrick, Nathaniel. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. Viking, 2006.
• Baker, James W. Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday. University of New Hampshire Press, 2009.
• Silverman, David J. This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.
• Demonstrations, Jeremy. The First Thanksgiving: Plymouth, Politics and Peace. American Heritage Press, 2016.