Was The First Thanksgiving in Florida?
Welcome to Florida.
As a child I heard the story of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, making friends with the Native Americans and having a swell dinner to give thanks for their bountiful life. I visited the park at Plymouth Rock and even saw the re-enactors and the animals that had been genetically engineered in reverse (so the cows had long hair like in the 1600's). I thought it was the coolest thing ever and was excited it all happened so near where I was growing up!
But then I started 6th grade.
As you are probably aware, unless you attended a subpar elementary school, the Pilgrims didn't originally land at Plymouth Rock. The actual story about landing on Cape Cod and the desperate search for fresh water is more interesting and carries more life lessons - but it is much more complicated so is glossed over until 6th grade.
But the bigger lessons are still solid. If you go to a new place, you need the help of the locals to start your life. You need to be a good neighbor and if you have your family and friends around you on a holiday and you are all safe and well fed, you should be thankful. You know, it's pretty clear that hundreds of years ago the native Americans had to help the settlers make it through the first winter and everyone must have celebrated once there was a good first harvest.
And since St. Augustine was settled some 50 or more years prior to Plymouth, it only makes sense that the first thanksgiving was in the State of Florida. In fact, historians tend to agree that as early as 1565, the Timucuan People (Native Americans) held a celebratory meal with the settlers in St. Augustine.
So yes, of course the first Thanksgiving was in Florida, it's perfectly logical (which appeals to the MBA in me), but also is supported by historians in the State (which appeals to someone who plans to send his son to USF).
Finally, if you do have friends that think the first Thanksgiving was in Plymouth Massachusetts, don't correct them because, they will just end up feeling bad about not paying attention in 6th grade.
Search For Homes in Florida (Home of the nation's First Thanksgiving)
© John Gaudiano
As a child I heard the story of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, making friends with the Native Americans and having a swell dinner to give thanks for their bountiful life. I visited the park at Plymouth Rock and even saw the re-enactors and the animals that had been genetically engineered in reverse (so the cows had long hair like in the 1600's). I thought it was the coolest thing ever and was excited it all happened so near where I was growing up!
But then I started 6th grade.
As you are probably aware, unless you attended a subpar elementary school, the Pilgrims didn't originally land at Plymouth Rock. The actual story about landing on Cape Cod and the desperate search for fresh water is more interesting and carries more life lessons - but it is much more complicated so is glossed over until 6th grade.
But the bigger lessons are still solid. If you go to a new place, you need the help of the locals to start your life. You need to be a good neighbor and if you have your family and friends around you on a holiday and you are all safe and well fed, you should be thankful. You know, it's pretty clear that hundreds of years ago the native Americans had to help the settlers make it through the first winter and everyone must have celebrated once there was a good first harvest.
And since St. Augustine was settled some 50 or more years prior to Plymouth, it only makes sense that the first thanksgiving was in the State of Florida. In fact, historians tend to agree that as early as 1565, the Timucuan People (Native Americans) held a celebratory meal with the settlers in St. Augustine.
So yes, of course the first Thanksgiving was in Florida, it's perfectly logical (which appeals to the MBA in me), but also is supported by historians in the State (which appeals to someone who plans to send his son to USF).
Finally, if you do have friends that think the first Thanksgiving was in Plymouth Massachusetts, don't correct them because, they will just end up feeling bad about not paying attention in 6th grade.
Site of First Thanksgiving
Search For Homes in Florida (Home of the nation's First Thanksgiving)
© John Gaudiano
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