10 Thanksgiving Facts You Never Learned in School

This piece explores overlooked details about Thanksgiving, from unusual foods to forgotten customs and national decisions. It explains how the holiday developed through cultural exchanges, political choices, and shifting traditions, to make readers appreciate Thanksgiving as a dynamic event shaped by real people, real struggles, and real history.

1. 1. The first Thanksgiving lasted three days and included games

The 1621 gathering between the Wampanoag and the English settlers lasted three full days rather than one. People took part in contests, shooting practice, and friendly competitions that kept the mood lively. The celebration showed how feasting and recreation went hand in hand in early colonial gatherings.

2. 2. Seafood played a major role on the original table

The English and the Wampanoag relied heavily on seafood, so dishes like cod, bass, and shellfish appeared alongside wild game. These ingredients formed a practical part of their diet because they lived close to the water. The meal showed how coastal living shaped early American food traditions.

3. 3. Turkeys were present, but venison likely dominated

Although wild turkeys lived in the region, early accounts described deer as the main meat served. Wampanoag hunters provided several deer as part of the feast. The event showed that locally hunted venison stood at the center of the meal rather than turkey.

4. 4. Pilgrims did not dress in black with buckles

The familiar image of black clothing and shiny buckles came from art and later fashion trends rather than reality. People wore earth-toned clothing made from wool and linen because these were practical materials. The misconception showed how later generations reshaped the image of early settlers.

5. 5. Pumpkin pie did not appear on the first table

Colonists did not have the ovens or the large supplies of sugar needed for pie-making. Instead, they cooked pumpkins by roasting them or turning them into stews. The absence of the dessert showed how modern Thanksgiving dishes evolved over time.

6. 6. Thanksgiving officially became a holiday because of a long campaign

Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and magazine editor, spent decades urging presidents to create a national day of thanks. Her letters finally reached Abraham Lincoln, who approved the holiday in 1863. The declaration showed how persistence and advocacy shaped national traditions.

7. 7. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade used live animals

When the parade began in 1924, zookeepers brought live lions, camels, and elephants from the Central Park Zoo. The parade relied on these animals because giant balloons did not exist yet. The early format showed how the event grew from a modest spectacle into a cultural icon.

8. 8. Football became linked to Thanksgiving earlier than most people thought.

The first Thanksgiving Day football game took place in 1876 when Yale and Princeton met on the field. The annual match became a tradition among colleges before the National Football League adopted the idea. The custom showed how sports quickly intertwined with holiday celebrations.

9. 9. FDR once changed the date and caused national confusion

In 1939, Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving one week earlier to help stores extend the holiday shopping season. Some states followed the change and others refused, which split the country between two dates. The switch showed how deeply people valued the stability of the holiday.

10. 10. Many early towns held “Thanksgiving weddings"

During the 1800s, many couples chose to marry around Thanksgiving because families already gathered for travel and celebration. These weddings often included dances, feasts, and community parties. The practice showed how the holiday shaped social traditions beyond the dinner table.

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