Did you know America quietly passed a remarkable milestone - one that most people missed entirely? Amid the uncertainty of the 2020 pandemic, the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage came and went with little notice. Celebrations were canceled, gatherings moved online, and the moment slipped by almost unseen.
Yet four centuries earlier, another small group faced hardship far greater than our own. On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail across the Atlantic, carrying 102 hopeful souls seeking freedom. When the ship dropped anchor in Provincetown Harbor on November 21, 1620, their journey was only beginning. By the
following Thanksgiving, they had weathered loss, built friendships, and gathered in gratitude after surviving their first harsh New England winter.
During that difficult year, members of the Wampanoag tribes helped the Pilgrims survive. Of the 102 passengers who set sail on the Mayflower, only 53 lived to see their first harvest. Despite great hardship, they gathered to offer thanks to God.
The first American Thanksgiving was held in the fall of 1621. It was a joint feast between the Mayflower survivors and those who helped them, particularly Chief Massasoit, leader of the Wampanoag Confederacy, and ninety of his men.
How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday — From Ancient Hebrews to US Presidents
Thanksgiving feasts did not begin with the Pilgrims. Celebrations of gratitude predate Christianity itself. Ancient Hebrews gave thanks to God with fasting, prayers, and feasts in times of deliverance from drought, calamity, and enemies.
Centuries later, English Protestants followed a similar pattern -fasting, praying, and holding thanksgiving services to honor God’s protection. When a congregation of Protestant Separatists left Scrooby, England, for Leiden, Netherlands, in 1609, they encountered Sephardic Jews and observed their feasts of thanksgiving. These experiences likely influenced their own practice of gratitude when they survived their first winter with the help of the Wampanoag tribe.
Thanksgiving was observed throughout colonial America long before it became a national holiday. The Continental Congress issued national Thanksgiving Proclamations in 1777 and 1784. President George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving, followed by Presidents John Adams and James Madison.
Thanksgiving was observed throughout colonial America long before it became a national holiday. The Continental Congress issued national Thanksgiving Proclamations in 1777 and 1784. President George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving, followed by Presidents John Adams and James Madison.
Thomas Jefferson, however, believed such observances belonged to the states rather than the federal government. As a result, Thanksgiving remained a state holiday until 1863.
The Efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale
A National Holiday is Born
Sarah Josepha Buell Hale - author of Mary Had a Little Lamb -championed the idea of a national Thanksgiving holiday. Through editorials and letters to presidents, she urged that the last Thursday of November be set apart as a day of national gratitude and unity.
On September 28, 1863, Hale petitioned President Abraham Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving as a fixed national holiday. Five days later, on October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving. This marked the beginning of a new tradition, with every president since Lincoln issuing Thanksgiving Proclamations.
Though Sarah Hale did not live to see it made permanent, her vision was realized in 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making the fourth Thursday in November our official national holiday - ensuring a longer season between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Personal Reflection
Thanksgiving holds special meaning for my family because my father was born on Thanksgiving Day -back when it still fell on the last Thursday of November.
That morning, the men went hunting while the women prepared the meal. After dinner, my grandmother went into labor, and my father was born - a moment of joy in a year marked by sorrow after losing loved ones to an epidemic.
Even in seasons of trial, there is always something to be thankful for. As the Bible reminds us:
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
~1 Thessalonians 5:18
Introducing the Classic American Thanksgiving Devotional
A few years ago, my daughter Julia and I, curated: A Classic American Thanksgiving Devotional - a beautiful way to celebrate the entire month of November in a spirit of gratitude.
We designed it to help families, like the Pilgrims, focus on gratitude even in challenging times. Inside, you’ll find historic proclamations, Bible passages, hymns, poems, and stories that reflect a thankful heart.
A Classic American Thanksgiving Devotional
- Celebrate Thanksgiving All Month Long
Are you tired of Thanksgiving being overshadowed by Halloween and Christmas? Want to help your family see that Thanksgiving is more than just a big meal and a day of football?
Start a new tradition by celebrating Thanksgiving all month with A Classic American Thanksgiving Devotional!
- 150+ pages of Bible verses, quotes, poems, hymns, presidential proclamations, and daily Thanksgiving activities.
- Created in 2015
- Printable e-format - Retail: $19.95
Limited Time: 25% OFF Discount Code THANKS2025
What are people saying?
" I just bought Donna's A Classic American Thanksgiving Devotional... Even though everyone in my home is older, we enjoy meaningful dinner conversations, learning new things, and celebrating. I know this will be PERFECT for that! I downloaded all 158 pages because I wanted to have it on hand at the dinner table. Each day has a gratitude Bible verse, a Thanksgiving quote, a simple Thanks-living activity, a Thanksgiving poem or song, and a Thanksgiving Proclamation or story. How cool is that! Thank you so much, Donna!""
~ Mary Ann J.
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If you love this devotional, you’ll also enjoy our Classic Christmas Devotional Anthology.