The First Thanksgiving

Jennie A. Brownscombe’s The First Thanksgiving, painted in 1914, appeared in Life Magazine and became the poster image of the first Thanksgiving. It shows the pilgrims and the Native Americans dining together, as friends, at one table. The priest is thanking God for the harvest and the good fortune of the Native Americans who taught them to grown corn, beans, and squash, and how to hunt.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 to celebrate the pilgrims’ first successful harvest. The celebration lasted several days and included indoor and outdoor feasts. Sometimes the pilgrims and Native Americans ate together, as shown in Brownscombe’s painting, and sometimes they ate separately.

The pilgrims had managed to build themselves a few crude homes and the Native Americans built temporary housing for themselves while they attended the festivities. The log cabin in the background of the painting is a historical inaccuracy.

Click for paintings of the Signing of the Mayflower Compact and the Pilgrims’ Landing.
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Please notice that I have begun a links list on the right side of the page. You should check out Peter’s blog about Paris which includes beautiful photographs of the city, including its art. If you have a blog or website that you think relates to this one and would like me to link to you, please leave a comment or email at artsmarts4kids AT yahoo.com.

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My Current NaNoWriMo Word Count:

30030 / 50000 words. 60% done!

I’m on track again!!!!