Many of the traditions which have built up around the Pilgrams and Thanksgiving are a myth, but there is some truth burried in there. Follow the conversation and link below to read what are taken to be the only reports of a harvest feast in 1621.
What we are pretty sure of was that the harvest of 1621 produced hope and food for the coming winter. We have one surviving report of Massasoit--the Wampanoag shaman showing up with a group of Indians and killing some venison to share with the Pilgrams. We are very sure this three day get-together and feasting did not happen on 25 November 1621. Still, 1621 would be the first time the Pilgrams took in a harvest and felt prepared for winter, and their having enough food (largely Indian Corn and seafood) was largely a result of the help of Indians, like Squanto and Massasoit, who introduced NDN corn, lessons on how to grow NDN crops, and how to harvest the local plenty.
Follow the link below for some of the facts about the history of Thanksgiving:
http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/thanksgiving.php
Steve
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