HAPPY THANKSGIVING

THE THANKSGIVING STORY

1607

A group of people living in England was not pleased because both the government and religious bodies told them that they could only worship God according to certain laws. They decided to go to Holland where they could have freedom to worship.

1620

The people became unhappy after a few years because their children were beginning to speak and act like the Dutch children.They decided to go and build homes in a new country.On September 6, 1620, 110 people boarded a ship named the Mayflower at Plymouth,England and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to find a new home.

November 10-December 12, 1620

The voyage took 65 days before they saw land.The weather was very cold and damp;they could not have any fires because they were ona wooden ship.They could not even cook their food.The ship first landed at Newfoundland,but they continued to sail along the coast until they found a harbor.They decided to build their homes at Plymouth.They called themselves Pilgrims, which means "travelers in a foreign land"

December 11, 1620

The Pilgrims stepped on the shore at Plymouth on a huge boulder, later named Plymouth Rock. They had to build houses but the weather was very cold with much snow and their houses were not warm; many of the Pilgrims became sick and died during the winter.When spring arrived only 46 of the Pilgrims were still alive.

Then something happened!

March 16, 1621

A native American named Samoset walked into the Pilgrims' village and called out "Welcome" in English. He had learned English from the captains of fishing boats along the coast. After staying one night he left but soon returned with another native American named Squanto, who also spoke English. Squanto was very important to the Pilgrims because he taught them how to grow squash and corn.He also showed them how to tap maple trees for sap and to fine wild plants and berries that were good to eat.

October 1621

The harvest was very successful and the Pilgrims had enough food put away to take care of them through the winter - corn, fruits, vegetable, fish and meat.Governor William Bradford set a special time for the Pilgrims to give praise and thanks to God for his goodness. Governor Bradford also called for a celebration to be shared by the Pilgrims and their friendly native American neighbours. Squanto,Cheif Massasoit and 90 braves came to the celebration,which lasted for the 3 days. They played games,ran races,marched and played drums. The native Americans demonstrated their skills with the bows and arrows and the Pilgrims showed their skills with muskets.

November 29, 1623

Although Thanksgiving was not celebrated in 1622, Governor Bradford proclaimed another Thanksgiving day on November 29, 1623.Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until many years later.

1789

George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.

1863

Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thurday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

1939, 1941

Thanksgiving Day was set as the fourth Thursday in November by President Franklin D.Roosevelt ; two years later Congress officially approved the day as a National Holiday.

A PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

Oh Thou who led the Pilgrims
To that far wilderness,
Who guarded and sustained them
In moments of distress,
Look down upon Thy children
Who take their place today
And help us when we falter
And hear us when we pray

For now we need Thy guidance,
Dangers beset our land.
Send our leaders strong hearts
which will know and understand
Give us the faith and courage
To follow where they lead
And with Thy hand to guide us,
We will be strong indeed!

!!! LONG LIVE AMERICA-MERA BHARAT MAHAN !!!