Thanksgiving

       Not this time.  No politics.  No shopping advice.  Today is a history lesson.  We will discuss the first Thanksgiving.  Something they should have taught in history class instead of revising what happened to fit our current sensibilities.  But that is another post.
       We know from historic records that the first Thanksgiving featured deer.  Five to be exact, provided by the Wampanoag  We know that it lasted three days.  We know that the same records indicate that four men went on a "fowling" expedition.  We know it was in 1621.
       We do not know what the "fowl" in question were.  We do not know what else was served.  We do not know much else actually.
       We can assume, infer, and suppose many things.  Since the colony was celebrating its first successful corn harvest, it is safe to infer it was on the menu.  Since they were in New England, it is safe to assume that there were clams, oysters, crabs, lobsters, and anything else that could be obtained from the sea.  It is safe to suppose that since sugar would have run out the year before, and the maple syrup that the Wampanoag taught the colonists to make is a springtime thing that there wasn't much sweet presented.  Unless it was provided by the already established Wampanoag.
       So remember when you are giving thanks this Thursday; that the turkey you are eating likely was not a part of the meal.  If it was, it was a small part.  Remember also that the leftovers that last two more days were a part of the first Thanksgiving.  Above all remember that this is the one holiday that unites us all as one people.  All of us American.  All of us feasting, and toasting our good fortunes.  All of us one Nation.  Not half blue and half red, but all Americans, all family.  For a while anyway.

God Bless.


P.S.  Here's a link if you want to do some extra curricular learning.

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving