The First Thanksgiving: How a Tradition of Gratitude and Community Began

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I believe it’s a great time to revisit and reflect on its origins and the powerful message it still holds today.

It is on record that 102 pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England in their Mayflower ship on September 16, 1620, for the then free world. These Pilgrims were made up of members of the English Separatists Church seeking freedom to worship in the then free world, and entrepreneurs, both under the leadership of William Bradford. They landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts on December 21, 1620 after two months of rough sailing, missing their originally intended destination in Virginia.

 We are told that the first brutal winter along with multiple diseases claimed the lives of forty-four of these Pilgrims, but with the assistance of the Native Americans they met there (Wampanoag people), the rest planted and reaped a bountiful harvest in the summer of 1621. With a grateful heart to their God for their good fortune and improving health and economic conditions, the then Governor, William Bradford, declared a three-day feast for them to thank God and invited the Natives to Plymouth to celebrate with them.

The modern-day Thanksgiving Day as a National Holiday in the United States is credited primarily to the forty-year long legislative campaign of author Sarah Josepha Hale. Her relentless efforts finally paid off when President Abraham Lincoln, through a Presidential Resolution in 1863, set aside the last Thursday of November as a National Thanksgiving Day, declaring that:

 “We often forget the Source of the blessing and fruitful years and healthier skies. No human wisdom or hand has worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”

 A Congressional bill signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 26, 1941, changed the Thanksgiving Day from the last to the fourth Thursday of November.

 What did this first Thanksgiving in 1621 teach us? This wasn’t just a celebration; it was an early example of collaboration, community, and the importance of support systems.

 For organizations today, Thanksgiving should serve as a reminder of the strength that can be derived from partnership, diversity, and shared knowledge and experiences. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, from vastly diverse backgrounds, achieved more together than they could have alone. This lesson still holds true in the workplace, where diverse teams that bring together unique skills, perspectives, and experiences can innovate and achieve greater and far-reaching and lasting impact.

 At the heart of that first Thanksgiving was gratitude; research has shown that a a strong workplace culture of gratitude boosts productivity, enhances relationships, and creates a positive environment where employees feel valued and supported. Recognizing the contributions of each team member fosters loyalty, engagement, and a shared commitment to goals.

For individuals, Thanksgiving reminds us that our greatest successes are often the result of working together with others, lifting each other up, and appreciating those who help us achieve our goals.

This Thanksgiving season, consider ways to express gratitude within your teams and strengthen those essential bonds. By nurturing a culture of gratitude and collaboration, organizations can build resilient, high-performing teams that thrive — even in challenging times.

 Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), the multi-talented English writer and thinker who is considered one of the most influential ones in the 20th century, especially within Christian and literary circles, is quoted as saying:

 “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”

 Thus, the Pilgrims demonstrated with their actions and deeds that they took neither the goodness of God nor the kindness of man for granted, at least not initially. You and I ought to learn from their example by rendering our thanksgiving to God but also make it a point to thank and not to take for granted the people God brings our way to be used as His channels of blessings.

Thanksgiving reminds us that, like the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, we too can face challenges better when we work together. It teaches us the power of collaboration, partnership, and generosity-— values that continue to resonate both personally and professionally.

 This season, as we come together with family, friends, and colleagues, let's remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving-a tradition rooted in gratitude and community.

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Signing off for now with gratitude and deep appreciation,

Yours truly,

Joyce

The Gratitude Ambassador