Every year, millions of families celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, but few know precisely how this tradition really came about. And among the Latino community – especially those who grew up outside the country – incomplete, simplified or confusing versions circulate.
That’s why QuéOnnda explains the origin of Thanksgiving Day as it appears in historical documents, without myths, idealizations or movie versions.
Origin of Thanksgiving
The so-called “first Thanksgiving” is usually placed in 1621, when English settlers newly arrived in Plymouth (now Massachusetts) shared a meal with members of the Wampanoag Indian nation as thanks for the harvest.
However, that dinner was not yet a national holiday or an established tradition.
The Pilgrims, who had arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, were surviving the first winter and relied on the guidance of the Wampanoag to learn how to farm in a climate unfamiliar to them.
The 1621 meal lasted three days and, although there was wild turkey in the region, historical records describe other more likely foods: venison, fish, corn, squash and nuts.
The myth of the “perfect friendship” does not reflect reality
Many popular representations speak of a harmonious coexistence between settlers and indigenous people.
The reality is more complex. The Wampanoag helped the colonists in a context of forced alliances and political tensions, as they sought to survive European diseases that had already decimated their population.
Indigenous and U.S. historians agree that, although there was timely cooperation, the relationship deteriorated rapidly thereafter.
In the following decades, the settlers expanded their territories and violent conflicts arose that deeply affected the native peoples.
Thanksgiving became a national tradition in 1863
Despite the famous meal in 1621, there was no annual Thanksgiving.
Some northeastern states celebrated days of thanksgiving, but each on different dates and in different styles.
It was not until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving to promote unity in the midst of conflict.
His declaration marked the beginning of the modern celebration, which was later set in November by Congress in 1941.
Turkey was not the obligatory dish (and still is not).
Although turkey seems essential today, there is no solid evidence that it was the centerpiece of the table in 1621.
It was not until the 19th century that it became popular, largely because the bird was plentiful, accessible and large enough to feed large families.
For many Latino families, the incorporation of their own flavors – mojo turkey, tamales, rice, plantains, pernil or traditional salads – demonstrates that Thanksgiving has always been an evolving tradition.
Beyond its origin, Thanksgiving has become a family reunion date that transcends cultures.
For the Latino community in the U.S., it is a time to give thanks, live together and keep their own traditions alive, adapting the celebration to their identity.
Understanding the real origin -without idealizations or incomplete narratives- allows us to celebrate with knowledge, respect and a broader vision of the country in which we live.
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