What is the origin of Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is different from Christmas and Valentine's Day. It's from America. Thanksgiving originated more than 300 years ago. At that time, a group of Puritans in England tried to "purify" the Anglican Church, but they were persecuted and fled to the Netherlands. A few years later, the lonely and poor life in a foreign country made them feel infinitely disappointed and unbearable. Therefore, 102 of them left Holland and crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the wooden boat Mayflower in September 1620. They went through difficulties and obstacles and arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA on June165438+1October 2 1. Plymouth was originally a village inhabited by Indians. A few years ago, the smallpox epidemic killed all the villagers, which was just right for these British immigrants to settle down. Mayflower killed 1 person in the whole voyage. However, a baby was born on the boat during the trip, so the number of immigrants is still 102.

When the immigrants first arrived in Plymouth, they encountered a cold winter. They lack equipment and experience, live hard in the wilderness and do heavy work. Soon, an epidemic of infectious diseases occurred, killing more than half of the people here. At the end of this winter, only 50 immigrants survived. One morning the following spring, an Indian came to Plymouth. He was sent by the head of a nearby village to find out the situation. When the Indians saw the immigrants, they found this situation and immediately went back to call Sheikh Massasod. The generous chief immediately sent many necessities as gifts to the immigrants, and also sent many capable Indians to teach the immigrants to fish and hunt, grow pumpkins, corn, bamboo shoots, broad beans and raise turkeys.

In the second year, the crops planted by immigrants got a bumper harvest, and their lives were greatly improved. In order to thank "God" and strengthen friendship with Indians, immigrants specially held a big banquet at the end of June 165438+ to invite Indians to have dinner together. There are dozens of wild turkeys at the banquet, as well as mashed potatoes and pumpkin cakes made of harvested potatoes and pumpkins, as well as fruits and dried fruits. The Indians readily agreed and sent five deer in advance. During the festival, apart from celebrating each other, the two sides also held various activities, such as wrestling, running, singing and dancing, which made them happy. Later, this happy festival was handed down in Plymouth and gradually spread to all parts of the United States and some countries in North America. 1789, the first president of the United States announced that the annual Thanksgiving Day was165438+1October 26th, but in 1863, President Lincoln set it as165438+/kloc-0. During World War II, President Roosevelt had an argument with the governors of some states on Thanksgiving Day. After discussion in Congress, the last Thursday in June 194 1 was designated as Thanksgiving Day by decree.