The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914).
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are truly blessed to be part of such a great community.
Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating all of the good people in your life, and all of the wonderful things that have taken place in the previous year. Originally crafted in honor of a great harvest (presumably in 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts), we are more so celebrating the totality of the year. Unless of course, you actually have a farm, in which case we are indebted to you just the same.
The “original” Thanksgiving has been labeled as somewhat of a poorly documented event, but there are two records that survive, describing the 3 day feast.
William Bradford, “Of Plymouth Plantation”
"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."
Edward Winslow, “Mourt’s Relation”
"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."
Some interesting facts about Thanksgiving:
Some of these quotes have been the basis on which we have determined Turkey to be the fowl of choice. Or at least the origin of that tradition.
Although Abraham Lincoln declared it a Federal Holiday in 1863, there are accounts of George Washington being the first to proclaim it a holiday.
Each year (since 1989) our president gives an executive pardon to one special Turkey. This turkey is then ensured a life of freedom until it’s natural death.
Benjamin Franklin originally wanted the national bird to be a turkey.
Turkeys can actually have heart attacks and run at speeds close to 20 mph.
Cranberries, although popular for sauce and dipping, originally were not eaten by the Native Americans. They were used for dying fabric and surfaces.
Please take our sincerest thanks and gratitude for all that you have done this year. We are very proud to be part of the diverse community around us, and part of the United States Of America.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
MG Pharmacy
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are truly blessed to be part of such a great community.
Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating all of the good people in your life, and all of the wonderful things that have taken place in the previous year. Originally crafted in honor of a great harvest (presumably in 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts), we are more so celebrating the totality of the year. Unless of course, you actually have a farm, in which case we are indebted to you just the same.
The “original” Thanksgiving has been labeled as somewhat of a poorly documented event, but there are two records that survive, describing the 3 day feast.
William Bradford, “Of Plymouth Plantation”
"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."
Edward Winslow, “Mourt’s Relation”
"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."
Some interesting facts about Thanksgiving:
Some of these quotes have been the basis on which we have determined Turkey to be the fowl of choice. Or at least the origin of that tradition.
Although Abraham Lincoln declared it a Federal Holiday in 1863, there are accounts of George Washington being the first to proclaim it a holiday.
Each year (since 1989) our president gives an executive pardon to one special Turkey. This turkey is then ensured a life of freedom until it’s natural death.
Benjamin Franklin originally wanted the national bird to be a turkey.
Turkeys can actually have heart attacks and run at speeds close to 20 mph.
Cranberries, although popular for sauce and dipping, originally were not eaten by the Native Americans. They were used for dying fabric and surfaces.
Please take our sincerest thanks and gratitude for all that you have done this year. We are very proud to be part of the diverse community around us, and part of the United States Of America.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
MG Pharmacy
RSS Feed