Was There A "First" American Thanksgiving?

Introduction
The beginnings of the Thanksgiving Day we celebrate today occurred in many places at different times. In this activity, students will read and learn about many of these "first" Thanksgivings.

Lesson Description
Students will find information on the Web sites included in this activity to learn about early Thanksgiving celebrations. Students will answer four questions and then apply the information they have learned to role-play an early Thanksgiving Day.

Instructional Objectives:

1. Students will learn the purpose and history of Thanksgiving.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to compare then and now. They will also see how traditions originate.

1. Answers will vary, but may include: after the ends of wars, with the arrival of a supply ship, a good harvest, and so on.
2. Thanksgiving celebrations in Virginia and Florida had solemn prayer services.
3. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. He set the celebration for the fourth Thursday in November. It is still celebrated on that day.
4. "Fast Days" marked unfavorable circumstances within the Puritan community. Thanksgiving or Fast Days could be declared at any time by various establishments within the community, such as churches or colonial governments.
5. Skits will vary, but should stay true to the time period represented. Encourage students to compare how they celebrate the holiday today compared to then.

Go to Student Web Activity

Back