Thanksgiving: What You Thought You Knew But Didn't
The Thanksgiving Controversy
Of all the things Thanksgiving can be, who'd have thought it was controversial? Yes, something as wholesome as this traditional American holiday has controversy all around. What's the hullabaloo all about? Seems some have differing opinions on who really started Thanksgiving and what it was all about...
Forget the Paper Hats
Remember back in grade school when we'd all use black and white construction paper to make pilgrim's hats and bonnets for a classroom Thanksgiving feast? Well, according to some, we're doing it all wrong.
I had always thought Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the Pilgrims with the Indians. Now, after reading the article on the History News Network website I'm not so sure. In fact, it seems that many of the ideals I'd been holding Thanksgiving up to have absolutely nothing to do with this nationwide holiday.
Where Did We Go Wrong?
First of all, it appears that Thanksgiving may not have started with the pilgrims. Different areas of our country, including Texas and Virginia, claim to have held a Thanksgiving feast well before the one we consider to be the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims.
And the family and religious values that Thanksgiving is supposed to remind us of? Those weren't even a part of the original Thanksgiving holiday. As the History News Network points out, Native American Indians never would have been invited to a family or religious event.
God Forbid!
What else do we have wrong? Prepare yourselves -- this isn't pretty. It seems that the staple of our modern Thanksgiving tradition -- the Thanksgiving dinner, has nothing to do with the original Thanksgiving holiday!
Turkey may have been served, but deer was more likely. And cranberry sauce? Forget it! The original Thanksgiving dinner looked much different than the dinners we prepare today.
Just When We Thought We Knew Everything...
Just when we thought we knew everything, it seems we have it all wrong. The pilgrims, where they landed, the food they ate, what they were celebrating... The list goes on! Take a look at the Top 10 Myths About Thanksgiving to see what else we misunderstand about the Thanksgiving holiday!