Thanksgiving Day is synonymous with boisterous relatives, delicious food, and reflecting on what we are most grateful for. This holiday continuously evolves, and families build upon the celebration by adding personal touches and creating new traditions. While not everyone’s Thanksgiving may look the same, they all share the same origin.

The story of Thanksgiving starts in 1621 and essentially revolves around the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people coming together to celebrate their first successful harvest with a Thanksgiving feast. This wasn’t just any big feast; this was a celebration that occurred over the course of a three-day harvest festival and was joined by 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians.

Here are some more interesting facts you can share over your thanksgiving feast.

While modern-day Thanksgiving features a giant turkey and other traditional foods such as stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, these foods weren’t served on the first Thanksgiving. Instead, they feasted on venison, duck, goose, oysters, lobster, eel, and fish.
In 1789, George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving. He asked Americans to express their gratitude for the conclusion of the country’s war of independence.
It wasn’t until 1863 that Thanksgiving became an actual holiday. Sarah Hale (the creator of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) campaigned for the holiday by writing letters for 17 years. It was finally proclaimed a holiday by Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863.
The tradition of watching football began in 1876, with a game between Yale and Princeton.

We can help you to take the stress out of your Thanksgiving dinner. If the tradition of cooking isn’t for you, you can dine with us at 30Boltwood or enjoy our delicious To-Go option with loved ones at home. For details on our Thanksgiving offerings, or to order To-Go, please visit 30Boltwood Thanksgiving.