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Every fourth Thursday in November, millions of Americans gather around tables laden with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. These Thanksgiving foods have become so synonymous with the holiday that its hard to imagine the annual feast without them. Click here to view slideshowYet the meal we recognize today bears only a passing resemblance to that shared by the Wampanoag people and English colonists in 1621. Most of the Thanksgiving foods we associate with the holiday didn't debut at that three-day celebration in Plymouth. Instead, they developed gradually over the centuries, influenced by regional preferences, agricultural changes, cookbook authors, marketing campaigns, and the contributions of diverse immigrant communities. And so, what began as a local harvest celebration eventually became a national holiday with an increasingly standardized menu. Above, look through photos of vintage Thanksgiving celebrations. And below, learn more about the origins of your favorite Thanksgiving foods.The First Thanksgiving In 1621: A Large Harvest CelebrationThe gathering that would later be referred to as "the first Thanksgiving" was, in reality, a harvest festival that shared little with our contemporary celebration beyond its spirit of gratitude. When approximately 50 English colonists and 90 Wampanoag people gathered in Plymouth in autumn 1621, they weren't following a prescribed menu or establishing an annual tradition. They were simply sharing a meal after a successful harvest, drawing from whatever foods were abundant and available in their coastal New England environment.The centerpiece of that meal was almost certainly not turkey, or at least not turkey alone. Wild fowl featured prominently, as colonist Edward Winslow noted in a letter that December that Governor William Bradford had asked men to hunt birds for the occasion: "[O]ur harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors." While wild turkey may have been among the birds, the colonists likely brought back mostly ducks, geese, and swans. Waterfowl would have been plentiful along the coast and easier to hunt than wild turkey. Winslow also wrote that the Wampanoag contributed five deer to the feast, meaning venison likely dominated the table as much as any bird.The meal would have been heavy on protein and notably lacking in many Thanksgiving foods we consider essential today. For instance, there were likely no mashed potatoes, as potatoes hadn't yet become a staple crop in North America. And while cranberries grew in the region, the colonists had little sugar, and thus no way to make a sweet sauce out of the fruit. And without wheat or butter, pumpkin pie couldn't have appeared in the form we know today. Library of CongressJean Leon Gerome Ferris' depiction of the first Thanksgiving, painted circa 1912.However, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people did probably dine on pumpkins and squashes that were roasted whole in embers or stewed.What they did eat reflected the bounty of the season and the collaborative nature of the harvest. Corn appeared in various forms possibly as cornbread or porridge. Seafood was also a major part of the meal. As Winslow wrote: "[O]ur bay is full of lobsters all the summer, and affordeth variety of other fish; in September we can take a hogshead of eels in a night, with small labor, and can dig them out of their beds, all the winter we have mussels... at our doors: oysters we have none near, but we can have them brought by the Indians when we will."Native fruits and nuts, including walnuts, chestnuts, and perhaps dried berries, rounded out the meal. The Thanksgiving food was likely seasoned with herbs but lacked the black pepper and cinnamon we've come to associate with holiday cooking.For nearly two centuries after that 1621 gathering, Thanksgiving remained a sporadic, regionally varied affair. Communities held harvest celebrations, but they occurred at different times and featured whatever local tradition and availability dictated. Southern tables might have featured ham or seafood, while frontier families made do with wild game. There was no single "Thanksgiving meal" because there was no single, unified Thanksgiving holiday. The transformation into the celebration as we know it today began in earnest in the mid-19th century and was driven largely by Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of the influential Godey's Lady's Book.How Thanksgiving Foods Transformed Over The CenturiesHale campaigned for years for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday, writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, requesting that the last Thursday in November be set aside to "offer to God our tribute of joy and gratitude for the blessings of the year," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.Public DomainA Winslow Homer engraving depicting Thanksgiving dinner that was printed in Harper's Weekly in November 1858.She also published recipes and menu suggestions that helped standardize Thanksgiving foods across the country. When President Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, Hale's vision of the ideal feast had already taken root in the American imagination.Turkey's rise to dominance on the Thanksgiving table came from several factors. The bird was large enough to feed a gathering, distinctly North American, and unlike chickens or cows not useful for eggs or milk, making it practical to slaughter for a feast. By the late 19th century, turkey farms were emerging, and the bird was becoming more affordable and accessible, all while cookbook authors and women's magazines reinforced turkey as a centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw other modern staples solidify their place on the menu.Cranberry sauce evolved from a regional preserve into a national standard, especially after the 1912 invention of canned cranberries made them available year-round and coast-to-coast. Sweet potatoes, often served with marshmallows in a combination that emerged in the 1920s, became particularly popular in the South and eventually spread nationwide. Green bean casserole, meanwhile, didn't exist until 1955, when a Campbell's Soup Company employee created it as a way to promote cream of mushroom soup.Stuffing evolved from simple bread-and-herb mixtures to countless variations incorporating oysters, sausage, cornbread, chestnuts, and other regional ingredients. And mashed potatoes became standard as potatoes themselves became an American staple crop. Pumpkin pie finally achieved the form we recognize thanks to industrialization providing affordable sugar and spices. Canned condensed milk (introduced in the 1850s) and canned pumpkin (commercially available by the 1920s) made its preparation far easier.Of course, people across the United States and Canada have continued to innovate Thanksgiving foods based on their own family traditions or dietary restrictions, introducing alternatives like tofurkey. Even then, the idea of a Thanksgiving dinner is instantly recognizable and a far cry from the more sporadic harvest celebrations that preceded the holiday's formal induction. Still, whether we serve grandma's secret stuffing recipe or experiment with new fusion dishes, we're participating in the same ongoing evolution that transformed deer and eel into turkey and green bean casserole, showing how Thanksgiving food traditions have changed over time. After reading about the mouth-watering history of Thanksgiving foods, look through our vintage photographs from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then, check out some of the weirdest Thanksgiving ads from years past.The post How Todays Most Popular Thanksgiving Foods Made It To The Dinner Table appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Public DomainThe First Thanksgiving 1621 by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1899).For many Americans today, Thanksgiving is a beloved annual holiday centered around family, gratitude, and a delicious feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.But the popular story of its origins a simple, humble, harmonious meal between Pilgrims and their Native American neighbors is layered with centuries of myth and a far more complicated history.The 1621 event, a three-day harvest celebration, was not called Thanksgiving at the time that it happened, and it was born from a fragile, short-lived political alliance, not a genuine friendship. The food, the clothing, and the very nature of the relationship between the Wampanoag and the English at the event are often misunderstood.This celebration has since been reframed into a national symbol that holds different, and often painful, meanings for many people to this day.Below, youll find some of the most frequently asked questions about the first Thanksgiving, as well as the answers that may come as a shock.When Was The First Thanksgiving?The event now referred to as the first Thanksgiving was a three-day harvest celebration that took place during the autumn of 1621. It was held by the English Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and members of the Wampanoag Nation. The gathering was to celebrate the Pilgrims first successful corn harvest in the New World, which was largely made possible thanks to the agricultural guidance of the Wampanoag. The celebration occurred sometime between late September and mid-November.Who Was At The First Thanksgiving?The 1621 harvest feast was attended by 52 English colonists and at least 90 Wampanoag men. The Wampanoag delegation was led by their sachem (chief), Massasoit, and included other Native American figures like Squanto. The English attendees included their governor, William Bradford, and Captain Myles Standish.Public DomainLanding of the Pilgrims by Charles Lucy. This gathering of roughly 140 people was not a small, quiet dinner but a large, communal, and diplomatic event that seemed to affirm the alliance between the two groups at least for the time being.Why Did The Wampanoag Attend?The Wampanoag attended the first Thanksgiving primarily because they heard the sound of gunfire from the colonists celebration and came to investigate, unsure whether it signaled danger or festivities. Once they understood the situation, they stayed for the feast, which became a diplomatic gathering meant to reinforce their recent peace treaty. It was largely a strategic move on the Wampanoags part. The nation had been devastated by European diseases in recent years, losing up to 90 percent of their population, and faced threats from rival tribes at the same time. The colonists offered potential military support and trading opportunities. Was It Really Called Thanksgiving?No, the 1621 celebration was not called Thanksgiving by its participants. The Pilgrims typically used the term thanksgiving to describe religious days of prayer and fasting, which were usually far more solemn occasions. Wikimedia CommonsMassasoit smoking a traditional pipe with Governor John Carver in Plymouth.The 1621 gathering was more accurately a harvest festival or celebration. While there was likely some prayer involved during the meals, the event was also focused on feasting, recreation, and socializing. Edward Winslow, one of the colonists who documented the event, described it simply as a time when they rejoiced together after gathering their harvest. The term first Thanksgiving was only applied to this feast much later, in the 19th century, after a letter describing the event was rediscovered.Did They Eat Turkey?Turkey may have been served at the first Thanksgiving, but if it was, it probably wasnt the centerpiece of the meal like it is today. Edward Winslows account mentions that colonists went fowling and brought back birds for the feast. Wild turkey was abundant in the region and could have been among the fowl served. However, the menu likely featured a much wider variety of wildfowl, including ducks, geese, and swans. The Wampanoag brought five deer to the feast, so venison was definitely a major protein source at the meal, possibly more central than poultry. If turkey was present, it would have been wild turkey, which tastes quite different from domesticated birds and has darker, gamier meat. The modern emphasis on turkey as the quintessential Thanksgiving food developed much later on in American history.What Food Was On The Menu?The 1621 feast featured a bounty of local food. The Wampanoag provided five deer, making venison a major part of the meal. Other documented foods included wildfowl (such as ducks, geese, and possibly turkeys) and corn in its grain form.Frederic Lewis/Archive Photos/Getty ImagesAn illustration of the first Thanksgiving.Based on the location and season, historians believe that the menu also included seafood like mussels, lobsters, oysters, bass, and eels. The people in attendance also would have eaten local produce like squash, nuts, and berries.What Popular Thanksgiving Foods Were Not At The Feast?Many now-iconic Thanksgiving foods were absent from the 1621 celebration, and in some cases, they hadnt even been invented yet. Mashed potatoes couldnt have been served because white potatoes hadnt yet become common in North America. Cranberry sauce wasnt available since the colonists lacked sufficient sugar supplies to make sweetened preserves. Unsurprisingly, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a much more modern creation while sweet potatoes existed, modern marshmallows werent invented until centuries later. Pumpkin pie was likewise impossible without flour for crusts, butter, or proper ovens for baking; if pumpkin appeared at all during the feast, it was likely boiled or stewed. Stuffing as we know it, green bean casserole, and dinner rolls were all absent too. The Pilgrims had no cows yet, so butter, milk, and cheese werent available to make the richer foods the holiday is known for today. Did The Pilgrims Wear Black Clothes With White Collars And Buckles On Their Hats?This is a popular myth, but no. The Pilgrims typically wore colorful clothing in shades like red, green, violet, and gray, made from wool and linen. Black dye was expensive, so it was usually only available to wealthier individuals. The Pilgrims everyday attire was actually quite practical and varied in color. The iconic image of black-clad Pilgrims with buckled hats and shoes largely comes from Victorian-era artistic interpretations, not historical accuracy. Buckles on hats werent fashionable yet in the 1620s that style became popular later on in the 17th century. The somber black-and-white stereotype likely arose from later Puritan aesthetics and 19th-century romanticization of colonial history.Who Was Squanto?Squanto, whose full name was Tisquantum, was a member of the Patuxet tribe, a branch of the Wampanoag Confederacy, who served as an interpreter and intermediary at the 1621 harvest celebration. Wikimedia CommonsAn illustration of Squanto from a 1922 childrens book.He had been kidnapped by English explorers in his youth and taken to Europe, where he was sold into slavery in Spain. He escaped, possibly with the help of Catholic friars, made his way to England, and learned the English language while living in the country for several years. When he finally returned to his homeland around 1619, he discovered his village had been wiped out by European disease. He then lived with the nearby Wampanoag.Squanto also became invaluable to the Plymouth colonists, teaching them how to fertilize corn, where to fish, and how to avoid poisonous plants. He died in 1622 from what William Bradford called Indian fever.How Long Did The Celebration Last?The 1621 harvest celebration lasted for three days. Unlike modern Thanksgiving, it was not a single meal, but a multi-day event that included feasting, drinking, and recreational activities. Edward Winslows account mentions that the Wampanoag guests entertained and feasted with the colonists, and that the colonists exercised our arms (likely a military drill or a demonstration of marksmanship), while the Wampanoag engaged in their own games and athletic displays.Was The Relationship Between The Pilgrims And Wampanoag Peaceful?Initially, relations were relatively peaceful due to mutual strategic interests, but tensions were known to have existed from the start. The peace treaty of 1621 served both groups: The Wampanoag had been devastated by disease and needed allies against rival tribes, while the colonists desperately needed Indigenous resources to survive. Of course, it wasnt an equal relationship. Wikimedia CommonsNative Americans attacking a log cabin during King Philips War.The colonists occupied land that had belonged to the Patuxet people before disease killed them. Cultural misunderstandings were frequent, and the English often showed disrespect for Indigenous customs. As more English settlers arrived, competition for land and resources in the area intensified greatly. The peaceful period was brief and fragile, largely dependent on the leadership of individuals like Massasoit and strained by the colonists expanding territorial ambitions.What Happened To The Alliance?The alliance deteriorated rapidly after the deaths of key leaders and peacekeepers and as colonial expansion accelerated. Massasoit maintained peace until his death in 1661, but relations grew increasingly strained as English settlers continually encroached on Indigenous lands and resources. Massasoits son Metacomet (called King Philip by the English) became the leader of the Wampanoag and watched angrily as colonial authorities seized more and more land. These tensions ultimately exploded into King Philips War (1675-1676), one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history relative to the population at the time. The war devastated New England, killing thousands of Native Americans and destroying numerous English towns. The colonists ultimately prevailed, and Metacomet was killed and beheaded. The war effectively ended Indigenous power in southern New England, with many survivors killed, enslaved, or forced to flee.When Did Thanksgiving Become A National Holiday?Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it so, following a persistent campaign by magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale had written letters to Lincoln and other political leaders for years, arguing that a national Thanksgiving would help unite the country. Lincoln, amid the Civil War, saw the value in a unifying national holiday and declared the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. However, the date remained fluid until 1941, when Congress established Thanksgiving as a federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. National ArchivesPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt helped establish the date of our modern Thanksgiving celebration.Initially, President Franklin D. Roosevelt hoped to move the holiday to November 23rd to assist businesses that wanted more days to promote their Christmas presents for sale, but many Americans were opposed to the earlier date. The 1941 legislation, ensuring Thanksgiving would fall on the fourth Thursday of the month, resolved the Franksgiving debate for good.Which President Refused To Celebrate Thanksgiving?Thomas Jefferson was famously opposed to proclaiming a national day of thanksgiving as president in 1801. In 1779, however, while Governor of Virginia, Jefferson had declared a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, so his stance was not anti-Thanksgiving, but instead had to do with the fact that he didnt think Thanksgiving should be the responsibility of the federal government.Jefferson was a staunch believer in the separation of church and state and viewed such national proclamations as a sort of religious intrusion. He believed that prayer and religious fasting were matters for individuals and religious organizations, not the federal government. As president, he refused to issue any thanksgiving proclamations, a policy that set him apart from his predecessors, George Washington and John Adams, and also his successor, James Madison. What Is The National Day Of Mourning?The National Day of Mourning is an annual demonstration, inspired by a 1970 protest at Plymouth Rock, which is meant to challenge the romanticized Thanksgiving story and to remember Indigenous ancestors.It was also inspired by a Wampanoag man named Wamsutta (Frank B.) James, who had been prevented from delivering a speech at a Thanksgiving anniversary celebration that wouldve acknowledged uncomfortable truths about what followed the 1621 feast including land theft, genocidal atrocities, and widespread cultural destruction. The event serves as a solemn reminder that Thanksgiving represents a catastrophic loss for Indigenous peoples: most of their lands, lives, and cultures. Participants today often gather at Coles Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for a day of mourning and remembrance of Native ancestors and a protest against the ongoing racism toward Indigenous Americans.While the event is not about erasing the first Thanksgiving, it does promote acknowledging the full, complex history including Indigenous perspectives on colonizations devastating impacts that continue to this day.After this look at the first Thanksgiving, learn all about Samoset, the Native American who first greeted the Pilgrims. Or, see how 15 other countries around the world celebrate Thanksgiving.The post 15 Surprising Facts About The First Thanksgiving Between The Pilgrims And The Wampanoag Tribe appeared first on All That's Interesting.

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West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died. The 20-year-old shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., not far from the White House, perFox News. President Donald Trump confirmed her

President Donald Trump announced that one of the two West Virginia National Guardsmen who was shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., succumbed to her wounds Thursday. West Virginia National Guard Specialist

They noticed a cat under a fence panel with four kittens. Shortly after getting them indoors, they found one more. Queenie and her kittensTheStrayCatClubVolunteers from The Stray Cat Club had been working tirelessly to help a large colony of cats. Just when it seemed they had rescued every last one, new cats began appearing months later, pulling the team right back into action.They resumed work that Friday night, bringing one young cat to safety. The next day, while continuing their sweep of the area, they spotted a tabby sheltering beneath a broken fence panel in a derelict yard.A closer look revealed she wasn't alone. TheStrayCatClubSometime within the last 24 hours, the cat had given birth to four kittens. The newborns were huddled together on a bed of fallen leaves, twigs, and rocksconditions far from safe for such fragile babies. It was clear that this little family needed immediate help.The mother cat bolted at the sight of people, so the team set up a humane trap and waited patiently for her return. She gave birth to four kittens under a broken fence panelTheStrayCatClubWhile waiting, they kept the kittens warm and safe, supplementing them when needed. Later that day, their patience paid off when the mother was finally secured. "She appears semi-feral, being a queen from the colony, but she may calm with time once she feels secure," The Stray Cat Club shared.After a long day, the mother and her four kittens were safe indoors. TheStrayCatClubBut the rescue efforts didn't stop there. Volunteers continued helping the remaining colony cats, getting them spayed or neutered and doing everything they could to break the cycle of suffering. "For now, this little family is safe, warm, and finally somewhere they can be cared for properly."Just as they thought they had accounted for every kitten, they were in for a surprise. Shortly after arriving in foster care, Queenie gave birth to a fifth kittenTheStrayCatClub"Once Queenie (the mother cat) had settled indoors, she gave birth to a fifth kitten. This tiny one is now called Magic."Magic was significantly behind her siblings, who were twice her weight. But what she lacked in size, she made up for with a remarkable will to live. Her dedicated fosterer provided supportive care to give Magic the best chance to thrive. Magic is much smaller than her siblingsTheStrayCatClub"She's holding steady. Being so far behind her littermates makes things trickier for her, but she's fighting in true little-miracle style."Queenie remained a fiercely protective mother, doting on her kittens with unwavering attention. Though still cautious around people, she seemed to understand that Magic needed extra help. "This little family is warm, safe, and growing well." TheStrayCatClubAt almost two weeks old, the bigger kittens have opened their eyes, eager to take in their surroundings. Magic still can't see, but it won't be long before she joins her siblings and gets her first glimpse of the world.Since their rescue, the kittens haven't missed a single meal, and their round bellies are proof of it. All but one of the kittens have their eyes openTheStrayCatClubEach day, the kittens grow bigger, bolder, and more active. Magic is still waiting for her eyes to open, but she happily rolls around with her siblings, her little paws flailing adorably in the air.Thanks to the compassionate volunteers, this feline family and many others in need will never again have to worry about food or shelter. From now on, they will know only warmth, safety, and love. TheStrayCatClubShare this story with your friends. More on the feline family and The Stray Cat Club on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Couple Drove to Shelter for One Cat But Ended Up Being Persuaded by Two More from the Same Room

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