Hello and welcome to a history of the United States.

Episode 22.

Warning.

May contain Taylor Swift references.

Remember that this is a podcast which relies on listener support.

If you want to help out one of the best and easiest ways of doing so is to leave a listener

review on iTunes. It doesn't cost you a penny,

takes about 30 seconds, and spreads the word to other people who may not otherwise hear about

the show. But enough of bad iTunes. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling ready for some

American history. Last time out, we took a fair few digressions and

only managed to move forward 15 days, so let's just get into it. The January of 1621 was a cold and

wet month, and working was difficult. There was an issue where two men had gotten

lost, and the rest of the pilgrims thought they had been captured, so they returned to the

ship for safety. The next morning, on the 14th, they found that the thatch roof on the common

house caught fire and was severely damaged, although the walls

and the structure of the house was saved.

The next day must have been depressing.

The sky turned black like a perfect storm, rain came pouring down, and they stood there

in their one roofless house.

I wonder whether they got drunk on jealousy, thinking about their families back in Leyden.

There must have been some points when they wish they hadn't bothered with this adventure.

That's not how it comes across in the material, though.

...