Thanksgiving: Then and Now

Thanksgiving: Then and Now

Thanksgiving is a holiday that began hundreds of years ago. It was a celebration of many different things. One of the most important reasons for the celebration was thankfulness that many of the Pilgrims survived the first year of their new lives in America. Today, however, Thanksgiving seems to have a very different meaning to people. Their main focus is not being thankful for the things they have, but wanting more.

In September of the year 1620, a group of 102 eager individuals stepped aboard the Mayflower to begin a chapter in their lives. There was much uncertainty that came with the choice to board the ship. The people who decided to make the journey to the New World were referred to as Pilgrims. The Pilgrims’ purpose for traveling to the New World was to be able to practice their religion however they chose. The Pilgrims lacked this freedom in their homeland because the king had the power to tell the people how they were supposed to practice religion (Thanksgiving).

The journey to America was long and uncomfortable for the passengers of the Mayflower. However, they finally reached the land that would become their new home only a few months after leaving England. Since it was winter when the Pilgrims dropped anchor in Plymouth, Massachusetts, many of the passengers decided to stay aboard the ship until spring. Winter proved to be very challenging for the Pilgrims. Many of them contracted illnesses and did not survive. In fact, only about half of the people who agreed to take the journey survived the first winter in Plymouth (Thanksgiving).

The Pilgrims worked hard to establish a new home in Plymouth. Local Indian tribes became loyal to the Pilgrims. One Indian in particular, Squanto, who knew Engl...

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... multiple catalogs and advertisements to find the stores where they will be able to get the best deals. Then, they create a plan of the stores where they will shop. Often times, people will go on Thanksgiving evening to get a spot in line at a store, in order to be one of the first shoppers allowed inside the store.

As has been made apparent, Thanksgiving has some qualities that have remained the same over the years. However, much of the celebration of Thanksgiving has changed. One thing that has not changed is that families still generally gather together and share a nice meal. Today, however, Thanksgiving seems to have a very different meaning to people. Americans are more focused on television programs and purchasing more material things than being thankful for the blessings they have been given, as the Pilgrims were thankful for their success in the New World.