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Thanksgiving tradition in America has come to be symbolized by pilgrims and Indians and the notion that the first Thanksgiving was held by the

pilgrims to thank their Indian neighbors for their agricultural gifts and guidance. Certainly the

pilgrims were rightfully expressing gratitude for Indian friends, but the real story is much more

robust than that and much more complicated, as true history often is. This is the true story of the first

Thanksgiving. In the early 1600s, a group of Puritans left London in search of a place to

practice their religion freely. They felt the Church of England needed reform, but in those days,

the Church of England and the state were one.

To dissent from church membership was tantamount to treason. So the separatist Puritans chose exile

rather than conformity and headed to Holland where they hoped they would find freedom to worship

as they pleased. But Holland wasn't the land of plenty they'd hoped for,

and after a few years to Puritans,

whom many now called pilgrims,

for their religious quests that make some strangers in a foreign land,

found themselves subject to religious discrimination,

difficult labor conditions,

and potentially in the middle of a war zone,

should Spanish aggression get any worse.

So they decided amongst themselves to pick up once again and seek out a place where they could start fresh.

They set their sights on the new world of America.

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