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Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth

Native American people who first encountered the "pilgrims" at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts play a major role in the imagination of American people today. Contemporary celebrations of the Thanksgiving holiday focus on the idea that the "first Thanksgiving" was a friendly gathering of two disparate groups—or even neighbors—who shared a meal and lived harmoniously. In actuality, the assembly of these people had much more to do with political alliances, diplomacy, and an effort at rarely achieved, peaceful coexistence.

Resource Information

grades   K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
featured nations
Wampanoag
subjects
English Language Arts, History, Social Studies
regions
Northeastern Atlantic Coast