Thanksgiving, celebrated annually in the United States, is often depicted as a harmonious meal shared between Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. While this narrative is a comforting tradition, the real history of Thanksgiving is far more complex, blending moments of cooperation with enduring legacies of conflict and survival.

The iconic “First Thanksgiving” is based on a harvest feast held in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. The Pilgrims, settlers who had arrived aboard the Mayflower, celebrated their successful harvest after enduring a brutal first winter. Members of the Wampanoag tribe, who had helped the Pilgrims adapt to the land through agricultural guidance, joined the feast. However, this gathering was not a singular moment of unity but part of a tenuous relationship between two groups with vastly different worldviews.

The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, entered into an alliance with the Pilgrims to protect themselves against rival tribes. This cooperation, however, unraveled over time as European settlers expanded, leading to the displacement, exploitation, and decimation of Indigenous populations through violence and disease.

Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it during the Civil War. The intention was to promote unity and gratitude during a deeply divided period in American history. While the holiday is now secular and celebratory, its roots are intertwined with colonialism and Indigenous resistance.

For Native Americans, Thanksgiving can be a day of mourning, reflecting on the loss of land, culture, and lives. Acknowledging this history offers a more inclusive understanding of the holiday. Modern celebrations can honor the resilience of Indigenous peoples and promote gratitude for shared histories and future progress. By embracing the full story, Thanksgiving becomes an opportunity to foster reflection and reconciliation alongside joy and gratitude.