22nd November 2012 THE STORY OF THANKSGIVING In 1620, many people in England were very unhappy They wanted religious freedom and to find better life They decided to leave and go to the New World in North America A hundred and two Pilgrims got on a ship called Mayflower The journey took 66 days and it wasn´t easy The Mayflower was crowded and cold People got sick and there was little food In December 1620 they arrived to Plymouth and founded a deserted Native American village They decided to stay there The winter was hard They built small houses Many Pilgrims became sick and died The friendly Wampanoag Indians helped them during the long winter When spring came they felt better Native Americans met the Pilgrims and taught them how to fish, hunt and grow crops Soon, the Pilgrims and Indians became good friends The Pilgrims wanted to celebrate and thank God for his blessings They were thankful for the harvest and for the help of the native people in teaching them to grow crops in America Without their help, the Pilgrims would have had little to eat So the first Thanksgiving was celebrated Pilgrims and Indians together to give thanks to God for everything they had Thanksgiving in America is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November Families prepare a meal similar to the meal prepared by the Pilgrims and Indians many years ago It is a time for counting the many blessings we have received during the year and for spending time with family and friends 22nd November 2012 22nd November 2012