Almost every culture in the world has held celebrations of thanks for a plentiful harvest. The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago.

Learn about the Pilgrims journey on the Mayflower and their arrival in America. Their first winter in the New World was difficult. They had arrived too late to grow many crops, and without fresh food, half the colony died from disease. The following spring the Iroquois Indians taught them how to grow corn (maize), a new food for the colonists.   In the autumn of 1621, bountiful crops of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins were harvested. The colonists had much to be thankful for, so a feast was planned. They invited the local Indian chief and 90 Indians. In following years, many of the original colonists celebrated the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks

Thanksgiving is celebrated the last Thursday in November and is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion at the house of an older relative. All give thanks together for the good things that they have.

You will be cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with us this month including a Roast Chicken (or Turkey) with stuffing and Pumpkin Pie and Apple Crumble. Create cute table decorations and learn about the history of American icons (eg, Statue of Liberty).