The Dark Truth about Thanksgiving

Since elementary, we've been taught that Thanksgiving was there to represent peace among the Indians and the pilgrims. It occurred in 1621, after the pilgrim's first successful harvest. Of course, they didn't do it alone - they had Squanto (remember him?) and his Wampanoag tribe to guide the pilgrims the right way. After the pilgrim's success, they invited the Native Americans and they all celebrated with turkey and pie and lived happily ever after.

But not all of it's true.

For one, there is no proof that the Native Americans were actually invited to the feast. Some historians believe that the Indians may have heard gun fires in the village on the day of the feast, and came to check what the commotion was about.

Hence they found themselves at the First Thanksgiving.

Not to mention that Thanksgiving wasn't one night long, but three! I think schools should consider extending Thanksgiving break a bit more...

Also, has anyone ever wondered if there was actually any turkey on the first Thanksgiving? Historians say this was unlikely. Instead, it seemed to make more sense that the Wampanoag simply brought in five deer with them for the big feast. However, the pilgrims did bring fowl, though it was probably migrating waterfowl like ducks and geese, which were plentiful in autumn. Instead, turkey became increasingly popular only after two hundred and fifty years, when it became a trend in many food businesses.

The same story goes for many other yummy traditions, including cranberries, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Ever wonder how Thanksgiving actually became a national holiday? Actually, it was never considered that special until 242 years later, when Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863. Accordingly, football was considered a traditional Thanksgiving event 13 years later in the 1876 Yale/Princeton football match.

Sorry to break the bubble, Thanksgiving lovers.

But many of the Americanized Thanksgiving traditions came centuries after the first Thanksgiving. But don't hate Thanksgiving, for it's still a holiday that shines with love and happiness and the absence of school!