Thanksgiving History- History and the Holidays

History and the Holidays- Thanksgiving Through History

Do you know when and where our celebration of Thanksgiving began?

Did you guess that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621?  Did a picture of a group of Wampanoag Indians gathered together with some of the Pilgrim settlers from Plymouth for a feast giving thanks for the fall harvest pop into your head?  If it did, you aren’t wrong…
But was that really the FIRST Thanksgiving?

I absolutely LOVE when a subject I’m teaching reaches into lots of other areas of learning.  Maybe that is why I enjoy history so much.  When I write curriculum to share, I always try to include the art and music, food and fashion, science and invention, people and places, and even the mathematics and industry of the time.  History really does encompass every part of life!  Including the HOLIDAYS!

Last year I wrote a short post called Homeschooling Through the Holidays.  Click over to read it now, or save it for later.  It is especially aimed at those of you who are using the American Girl History Units, but it gives you an idea at how FREEING it is to ENJOY the holidays as a family, and still feel like you are continuing on with “school”.   I also included some pointers there for keeping it simple and stress free!

This year, I wanted to share the History of Thanksgiving.

It is designed to go along with Fields of Daisies’ free history units, but you definitely could use this all by itself as a miniThanksgiving Unit too.  If you are using one of the FREE History Curriculum Units or the American Girl Units , just scroll down to the section of history you are studying right now, and enjoy some or all of the ideas.

I hope you will enjoy using this guide as you homeschool through the holidays!

My prayer is that it will allow your family to spend time doing the activities that bring life and joy into your home, all while feeling relaxed and confident that everyone is still learning!

*NOTE to my fellow Christian Families: You may be wondering if studying these mostly pagan celebrations of ancient cultures is profitable for your family.  I think it is a very valid question.  It is my belief that by learning about the history of a people, we may grow exponentially in understanding, compassion, and love.  Our GREAT JOY in celebrating Thanksgiving is part of that.  It’s a great opportunity to teach our kids that through Jesus, we have been set FREE, and no longer live in fear of angering some obscure god with an inadequate offering, and therefore facing a very unknown future!  And as an added plus personally, I found this study to be FANTASTIC in adding another layer of understanding to many stories in the Bible!  WOW!

Before we get started, you may like to grab these resources:

History of Thanksgiving – Printable PDF Version
This entire unit plus themed note taking pages… no ads, and arranged for easy daily use!  Keep the holidays SIMPLE & STRESS FREE!  Just print and go!

History of Thanksgiving Printables Notebook
Add in any of your own work, collect it in a binder, and VOILA!  This will make a fun keepsake years from now.  I still display my children’s every year when I decorate my house for the holiday.

And if you are planning a whole season of FUN HANDS-ON HOLIDAY HOMESCHOOLING, you can check out the first of a series of the History of Christmas posts-
A Colonial Christmas- Hands-On History

*Note: This post contains some links to products on Amazon that I think would be fun extras for this unit.  If you choose to buy any of them by clicking through my links, I will get a small commission.  This helps me keep all my units free!  Thank you so much for your support!  🙂

The History of Thanksgiving

What pops into your mind when you hear the word THANKSGIVING?
Turkey and pumpkin pie?  
Pilgrims and Indians?
Family and friends?
The Macy’s Day Parade?
Food and football ?
Gratefulness?

How about these words?  Do they make you think of Thanksgiving?
Tents and camping?
Moses?
Jugglers?
Music and dancing ?
Smelly fish?

—>Make a Thanksgiving Word List
You can find the printable word sheets for this in the Thanksgiving Notebook, or just make your own!
You might expect words like pilgrim, turkey, pumpkin pie, family, and thankfulness to be at the top of this list. However, as you read, you might be surprised at some new words that you will come across that equally well describe thanksgiving.
Directions:  Add some words to describe the “thanksgiving” festival that you are studying.  You can use my lists in each section to get started. When you are done with this unit highlight any words that appear in all of the sections!

Humans have been setting apart and celebrating days of “Thanksgiving” for a very long time.  You may be surprised to learn that the first Thanksgiving feast did NOT take place in Plymouth in 1621 !  We will have to look WAY back in history to see where the idea of a special day of being grateful came from.

THANKSGIVING.

Let’s start with what we mean by “thanksgiving”-

Dictionary.com  defines thanksgiving as this-
–the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.
–an expression of thanks, especially to God.
–a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
–a day set apart for giving thanks to God.
–(initial capital letter) Thanksgiving Day.

—>Were you surprised that the definition included giving thanks to God?
      (Note the capital letter “G”)
      What would you add to the definition?
      Add this definition (and your own) to your notebook.

—>Print (or make your own) History of Giving Thanks Compare/Contrast
Chart from the Thanksgiving Notebook. 
 It is interesting to note, that while people have been “giving thanks” for a VERY long time, not all have been thanking God.
As we study “thanksgiving” through history, can you spot a pattern in your chart?
 

History of Thanksgiving in Ancient Civilizations

 THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.
While there are many examples of ancient peoples setting apart time to celebrate victories in battle, a celestial event, or a great harvest, the Feast of Tabernacles is one of the very first (if not THE first) festivals of Thanksgiving I could find. 

It is sometimes also called The Feast of Booths, The Feast of Ingathering, or simply Sukkot.  If you have completed the Ancient Civilizations lessons, you might remember reading the stories about Moses and the Jewish people.  Though these ancient people set aside special days several times a year to show gratitude, the Feast of Tabernacles was their most joyous celebration.  It is interesting to note that Jewish people today (and many Christians) still celebrate this holiday by building tents outside, sharing meals there, and sometimes sleeping in them, and of course, taking the time to give thanks!  Some historians believe that this was the VERY FIRST organized Thanksgiving and the inspiration behind the Pilgrims’ first feast (we’ll learn more about that further on). 
—> This section is the companion to the
Ancient Civilizations & The Old Testament Curriculum

Read and explore below to learn more and see what you think !

+Read-
–Jewish Roots:  The Feast of Tabernacles
–Was the Feast of Tabernacles the first Thanksgiving?
–Sukkot and Thanksgiving  (Best for older students- from Tori Avery)
–The Festival of Ingathering
(read to see if the Jewish celebration sounds like the celebration of Thanksgiving you know!)
-You can read about the Feast of Tabernacles in the Bible too-  HERE

+Watch-
-Jumpin’ Jerusalem- Sukkot  (Good explanation for the Littles especially)
-The Sukkot Song
-The Feast of Tabernacles  (complete overview-about 28 minutes)

+Explore-
–Make a Sukkot Card
*You can also find clipart to make your own Sukkot card in the
Thanksgiving Notebook Pages.
–Sukkot Word Search
-Print and Play this Free Sukkot Card Game
-Create these Citron Sun Catchers
-Try making a Etrog Box with this Lego pattern
-It might be fun to cook up some Sukkot recipes!  You could even serve them at your family’s Thanksgiving feast and help friends and family learn more about the first Thanksgiving!  You can find some Sukkot Recipe Cards in the Thanksgiving Notebook Pages  (I know I’m repeating :D)
    +Edible Sukkah!
    +Lulav & Etrog Cupcakes
    +Sukkot Menu

+Coloring/Notebook Pages
–Lulav Coloring Sheet
–Decorating the Booth Coloring Page
–Festival of Booths Coloring Pages
–Sukkot Coloring Page
–Sukkot Coloring Book

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
   -water   -light    -Tabernacle   -Sukkot   -Lulav    -Etrog    -booth
   -Hebrews    -joy    -provision    -God

+Do the Israelites (Hebrew People) celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday today?
+Did you find anything in the Ancient Israelites’ celebrations that are similar
  to our modern Thanksgiving traditions today?
Add this to your Giving Thanks Compare/Contrast Chart

         

+Extra Resources-
–Food At the Time of the Bible
–Biblical Holidays
–Pop Up Sukkah  (I know… but it’s SO CUTE!)
–Celebrate!  A Book of Jewish Holidays
–Jewish Holidays Coloring Book
–Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays
–Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Ancient Egypt

The Ancient Egyptians loved a good festival!  They worshipped many gods and set apart LOTS of days to honor them with music, dancing, parades, and of course FOOD!  We will learn about two of their thanks-giving festivals, which were both celebrated at harvest times. 
—> This section is the companion to the Free Ancient Egypt Curriculum

+Read-
–Ancient Egypt Harvest Festival
–How the Ancient Egyptians Celebrated “Thanksgiving”
–An Ancient Egyptian Thanksgiving
–The Beautiful Feast
–Festivals in Ancient Egypt
–An Ancient Egyptian Feast

+Watch-
–Opet Festival  (about 3 minutes)
-Brief news clip of Egyptians today celebrating an ancient harvest festival
–An Egyptian Feast !  
–Traditional Egyptian Dance  (Dance was a big part of celebrations in Egypt !)

+Explore-
–Try Making An Egyptian Reed Boat
(you could use these as table decorations for a Egyptian Feast!)
–Celebrate in Style-  DIY Egyptian Jewelry
–How To Plan An Ancient Egyptian Feast
-Try cooking some delicious
  +Recipes From Ancient Egypt
  +This recipe for Tiger Nut Sweets includes a really interesting story about Joseph/Jacob and perhaps a reference to this sweet treat in the Bible !
You can watch a visual of the recipe in the link below-
 Ancient Egyptian Date Candy Recipe

+Coloring/Notebooking Pages-
–Taweret Coloring Page
-Egyptian Agriculture, Harvest, and Banquet Coloring Pages
–Royal Egyptian Boat on the Nile
–Egyptian Wheat Harvest

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
-Opet    -Beautiful Feast   -pharaoh   -barge    -grain    -temple   -Nile    -dates
-parades    -dancing   -sweets

+Do the modern day Egyptian People celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday?
  Did you find anything in the Ancient Egyptians’ celebrations that are similar
  to our modern Thanksgiving traditions today?
  Add to your Giving Thanks Chart

     

+Extra Resources-
–Spend the Day in Ancient Egypt
–Treasury of Ancient Egypt Mythology
–Life in Ancient Egypt Coloring Book

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Ancient China

Ancient China isn’t usually the first place you think of when someone mentions Thanksgiving.  Read about their beautiful Mid-Autumn Festival and maybe it will next time!
—> This section is the companion to the Free Ancient Egypt/China Curriculum

+Read-
–The Mid-Autumn Festival  (Moon Birthday Festival)
– Ancient China’s Moon Festival  (with modern customs too!)
–Discover the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival
–7 Interesting Foods of the Moon Festival
–The History of the Mid Autumn Festival

+Watch-
–The Moon Festival Then and Now    (about 3 minutes)
–The Mid-Autumn Festival, An Introduction   (about 3 minutes)
–Celebrating the Chinese Harvest (about 3 minutes)
–Watch the Fire Dragon Dance

+Explore-
-Try making some Moon Festival Lanterns
–What Do People Eat at the Mid Autumn Festival ?
-Try doing some Moon Watching ! 
Maybe even enjoy some moon cakes and tea, and of course time with your family!  You can buy moon cakes –>  HERE
-It might be fun to have a traditional BBQ and/or cook up some traditional dishes-
    +Moon Cakes
    +Main Dishes for Mid Autumn Festival

+Coloring/Notebook Pages
–Moon Festival Printables
–Moon Festival Coloring Pages
–Chinese Lanterns Coloring Page
–Lantern Parade Coloring Page

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
  -mooncakes   -autumn   -family    -moon    -lanterns     -pomelo    -duck

+Do the modern day Chinese People celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday?
+Did you find anything in the Ancient Chinese celebrations that are similar
  to our modern Thanksgiving traditions today?
   Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

     

+Extra Resources-
–Moon Cake Presses  (I’d love to try making these!)
–Lin Yi’s Lantern
–Moon Beams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats
–All About China- Stories, Songs, Crafts, and Games For Kids

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Ancient Greece
& Ancient Rome

When it came to harvest parties, the Ancient Greeks and Romans were no exception.  They enjoyed a good feast as well as any of their neighbors!  Some of the symbols we frequently use in our traditional Thanksgiving today actually originated in Ancient Greece! 
Read on to find out which ones!
—> This section is the companion to the Free Ancient Greece Curriculum
and the  Free Ancient Rome Curriculum

+Read-
–Thanksgiving and the Ancient Greek Festival of Thesmosphoria
–A Greek Twist on Thanksgiving
(If you are a fan of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” you HAVE to read this!  I loved it so much!)
–The Festival of Thesmosphoria
–Ancient Greeks and the Cornucopia
–The “Horn of Plenty” and the Ancient Israelites
–Happy Cerealia? 
*Note- This festival was to honor the Roman goddess Ceres (grain goddess)… can you think of a word you use most every day that may have come from this mythology?
–Breaking the Wishbone  (Yep.  Thank the ancients for this tradition too!)
–Harpastum… The root of watching football at Thanksgiving?  This game was something of a mix of American football, rugby, and soccer.  It was often played in the Circus Maximus during festivals.  And it is ROUGH!  Yikes !

+Watch-
–An Ancient Greek Thanksgiving
-A peak into Harpastum (in modern day Florence!) from ’60 Minutes Sports’
CAUTION:This clip is of a Harpastum match and it is a VIOLENT sport!
–American Thanksgiving and Football

+Explore-
-Make your own Edible Cornucopia  (would also make a nice centerpiece!)
–Demeter-Story-Places-Festival
-Try a backyard game of Harpastum ! (scroll to bottom of page for how to play!)
-It might be fun to cook up some ancient Greek or Roman feast food! 
You could even add a few of these things to your traditional Thanksgiving menu.
    +Roast Pork
    +Honey Cakes
       —> You can see a fantastic video from the ruins at Pompeii and learn more
about their recipe for honey cakes HERE !   Be sure to read in the
comments about the reason baking powder (yeast) was mentioned in
the ancient recipe!  
    +Pomegranate
    +Corn Flakes Cereal with Honey (and goat milk if you’re brave 🙂

+Coloring/Notebook Pages
–Cornucopia Coloring Page
–Pomegranate Coloring Pages
–Thanksgiving Football  (just for fun)
–Demeter Coloring Page
–Ceres Coloring Page
–Feast in Ancient Greece
–Wish Bone Coloring Sheet

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
  -pomegranate   -cornucopia   -grain    -Ceres   -Demeter    -harpastum
  -wishbone

+Do the modern day Greek and Roman People celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday?
+Did you find anything in the Ancient Greek and Roman celebrations that are
similar to our modern Thanksgiving traditions today?
+Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart in the Thanksgiving Notebook Printables

       
+Extra Resources-
–A Child’s Guide to Greek Mythology
–The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Greece
–Life In Ancient Rome Coloring Book
–The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome

Thanksgiving Celebrations in the Middle Ages

If you have studied the Middle Ages, you know that their feasts and celebrations were astonishing!  Read this Menu from ONE banquet in 1455… can you add up how many different meats were served?  Our traditional Thanksgiving tables are pretty packed with delicious foods, but the Medieval feasts were extreme !
 
—> This section is the companion to the Free Middle Ages Curriculum

+Read-
-Quick Overview of Feasts & Festivals in the Middle Ages
–The Medieval Origins of Thanksgiving (Hurray for the Pumpion Pie ?!)
–Harvest Festival History
–St. Martin’s Festival- A Medieval Thanksgiving 
(scroll down to read the history of this festival)
–History of Apple Pie (a Medieval treat from 1381 !)
–Holidays and Festivals in the Middle Ages
–English Harvest Festival (fits all of these feasts together nicely)

+Watch-
–Knight Extras- What is Michaelmas ?
(also another mention of the football tradition!)
–Michaelmas  (from Shining Mountain Waldorf School)
–Medieval Feasts- Meals, Manners, and More!
–British Harvest Festival

+Explore-
-Try making a Martinmas Lantern
-Explore a Medieval feast via the Getty Museum- Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!
-It might be fun to cook up a feast fit for the Middle Ages!  Don’t forget to include a bowl of rose water for your guests
(see Medieval Feasts video above!)
    +How to Throw a Medieval Feast
    +Medieval Cookery   (tons of recipes to try!)
    +Weckmann
    +St. Michael’s Bannock  (yum!)
    +Easy No Cook Strawberry Preserves 
 (Yes, I know it’s not a recipe from the Middle Ages, but it is a fun way to
emphasize food preservation as we read about above, and since it’s no
cook, it’s perfect to get the kids cooking!)

+Coloring/Notebook Pages
–Middle Ages Feast Coloring Page
–St. Michael Coloring Page
–St. Martin Lanterns
–Saint Martin of Tours Coloring Page
–Pumpkin Pie Coloring Page
–Apple Pie Coloring Page

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–bannock    -medieval   -archangel   -preservation   -apple pie   -pumpkin pie
-coffin (pie crust)           -harvest       -lanterns    -dragon    -Michael    -Martin

+Do the modern day Europeans celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday?
+Did you find anything in the celebrations of the Medieval times that are
similar to our modern Thanksgiving traditions today?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

 

+Extra Resources-
–Food and Feasts in the Middle Ages
–A Medieval Feast
–St. George and the Dragon
–The Sword and the Cape

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Early America

*The FIRST first American Thanksgiving
Finally!  We can learn about the first Thanksgiving celebration in America! 
The one in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  The one we learn about every year. 
Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians feasting together and thanking God for His provision. Turkey, corn, and pumpkin pie!  
Hold the cranberry sauce…NOT JUST YET !
—> This entire section is the companion to the  Free Early American History Curriculum

 –> Read-
–The first Thanksgiving in St. Augustine, Florida ?
(This feast included alligator, beans, cabbage, and blueberries!)

—> Watch-
-Short clip from ‘Secrets of Spanish Florida’
     
—> Explore-
-Try this recipe for Cocido

—> Coloring-
-Print this Map of the US.  Mark St. Augustine, Florida. 
Save the map for the next section!

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–alligator    -cabbage    -Spanish    -Florida     -Native Americans

+Was this the FIRST American Thanksgiving?  Why or why not?
+Did you find any details that remind you of the Thanksgiving at Plymouth?
+Did you find anything in their celebration that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart



+Extra Resources-
–America’s REAL First Thanksgiving
–St. Augustine A to Z – An Explorers Guide
–Color Me History!  St. Augustine

*Pilgrims and Native Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving
  —> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Kaya Unit

–> Read-
–The history of the first Thanksgiving , Plimouth finally!
  (Did you know sauerkraut was a common addition?)

—> Watch-
–Take a virtual field trip with these great videos, and experience
the first Thanksgiving at Plimouth

—> Explore-
-Try adding this recipe for Succotash to yourThanksgiving table!
–Recipes for a Plimouth Thanksgiving

—> Coloring-
–Free Printable Early American Thanksgiving Coloring Book
-Print this Map of the US.  Mark Plimouth, Massachusetts

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–Wampanoag   -Plimouth   -Pilgrims    -corn    -fish    -succotash    -friendship
-worship             -deer             -freedom   -religion

+What traditions from the Pilgrims’ “first Thanksgiving” do you recognize ?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

    

+Extra Resources-
–Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
–Thanksgiving on Thursday    and   Pilgrims
–What Was the First Thanksgiving?
–Three Young Pilgrims
–Dover Story of the Pilgrims Coloring Book

*Early Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving in the 13 Colonies
  —> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Felicity Unit

–> Read-
+Thanksgiving in 1777
+Listen to what “giving Thanksgiving” was like in Colonial Williamsburg
+1789 George Washington and Thanksgiving
(Do we owe George Washington a big THANKS ?)
     
—> Watch-
-Cooking a 18th Century Thanksgiving Feast was no easy task!
-Listen to George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

—> Explore-
–Thank goodness! Turkey and Pumpkin Pie is finally on the menu!
Thank you so much George!  Unless you’d like to make a Pigeon Pie,                         you can try some of these Colonial Thanksgiving Recipes
-Ideas for Colonial Hands-On Holiday Projects

—> Coloring-
–George Washington Coloring Page
–Turkey and Pumpkin Pie
–Print this Map of the US.  Mark Mount Vernon and Williamsburg, Virginia

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–colonists    -George Washington    -turkey    -proclamation    -Williamsburg
-cranberries      -grace     -Mount Vernon

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions introduced by the colonists?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

   

+Extra Resources-
–Slumps, Grunts, and Snickerdoodles
–A Traitor in Williamsburg- American Girl Felicity Mystery
–The Williamsburg Cookbook
              

*Thanksgiving on the Southwestern Frontier
—> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Josefina Unit

–> Read-
–First Thanksgiving-  El Paso, Texas 1598
(Wait…the first Thanksgiving in America was in TEXAS !?
As Don Juan de Onate headed west to New Mexico, do you think the
settlers continued to celebrate in a similar way each year?)
–Thanksgiving on the American Frontier
 (yay for the official addition of cranberry sauce!)
     
—> Watch-
–Texas, Actually the First Thanksgiving

—> Explore-
-Try a few of these recipes and add a little spice to yourThanksgiving!
+Spicy Southwestern Pecans
+Ancho Chile Pumpkin Pie
–Hands-On Holiday Projects for Southwestern Frontier America

—> Coloring-
-Print this Map of the US.  Mark El Paso, Texas and Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
–Texas Coloring Pages
–New Mexico Coloring Pages
–Chiles Coloring Page
–Cranberries Coloring Page

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–Texas    -New Mexico    -chiles    -frontier    -pecans    -water    -gratitude
-El Camino Real

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions you found in these stories?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

+Extra Resources-
–Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824
-Josefina’s Cookbook

*A Pioneer Thanksgiving
  —> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Kirsten Unit
       You can also use it with the Free ‘An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving’ Unit
     
–> Read-
-Little House on the Prairie Thanksgiving
(this is a beautiful blog packed with information and super fun ideas to try!)
-An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

—> Watch–
–Little House on the Prairie – “A Harvest of Friends”

—> Explore-
-Try one of these recipes for  Cornbread Stuffing,  Vinegar Pie ,
   or Indian Pudding!
–Hands-On Holiday Projects from the Pioneers

—> Coloring-
 –Indian Corn Coloring Page
–Print this Map of the US.   Mark the prairie states of the US.

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–pioneers   -Native Americans    -cornbread    -harvest    -traditions
-family         -crops

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions introduced by the Pioneers?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

+Extra Resources-
–A Pioneer Thanksgiving
–Little House on the Prairie-  A Harvest of Friends
–An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving  by Louisa May Alcott
–DVD- An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

*Did People Celebrate Thanksgiving During the Civil War ?
  —> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Addy Unit
       You can also use it with the Free ‘An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving’ Unit

–> Read-
-Let’s try this again… Will the REAL First Thanksgiving ever be decided?
  + 1863  President Lincoln and the REAL first, First Thanksgiving  😀
  +How Civil War soldiers celebrated Thanksgiving
  +Thanksgiving, Lincoln, and Pumpkin Pudding

—> Watch-
–Lincoln and Thanksgiving  (and Sarah Josepha Hale)
–Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation  
(WOW!   “too proud to pray to the God who made us”)
                       
—> Explore-
-Try some of these Civil War Thanksgiving Recipes
–Grandmother’s Thanksgiving Pudding
–Favorite Recipes of President Lincoln
–Hands-On Holiday Ideas from the Civil War

—> Coloring-
–Print this Map of the US.  Mark the Union states in blue,
and the confederate states in red.
–Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation Coloring Page
–Mary Had a Little Lamb (couldn’t find one for Sarah Hale !)
–Civil War Soldiers Coloring Pages

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–soldiers    -Abraham Lincoln    -Sarah Hale    -pudding    -gingerbread
-coffee       -humility         -thankfulness      -unity    -hope    -holiday

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions introduced during the Civil War?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

+Extra Resources-
–Thank You Sarah
–Sarah Gives Thanks

*Thanksgiving Celebrations in Modern America

—> This section is the companion to the Free Modern American History Curriculum

*Thanksgiving at the Turn of the 20th Century
—> This section is the companion to the Free American Girl Samantha Unit

–> Read-
+Thanksgiving in the Early 1900’s     
+When Thanksgiving Was Weird  (NPR’s title… but twas TRUE!) 
+What Was on a Thanksgiving Menu in 1900  
+The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

—> Watch-
-1924- The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
–If you’d like to see more real footage you can watch HERE
–Halloween or Thanksgiving ?

—> Explore-
-Try this recipe for Mincemeat Pies  or  Roasted Chestnuts
– Learn all about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade !
–Hands-On Holiday Projects from the Turn of the Century                        

—> Coloring-
-Print this Map of the US.  Mark New York on the map.
–Roasted Chestnuts Coloring Page
–Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Coloring Page 1 and Page 2
–Mincemeat Pie Coloring Page

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–mincemeat    -chestnuts    -balloons    -parade    -ragamuffin    -family

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions introduced at this time?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart


+Extra Resources-
–Balloons Over Broadway
–Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

*Thanksgiving During Wars, the Great Depression, and Right Up till Today!

—> This section is the companion to the  Great Depression (Kit) Unit Study

–> Read-
+A story from MY family.  If you are a homeschooling family, I think you might really appreciate this.   I’ll give you a hint…
Once upon a time, a MUMMY came to our Thanksgiving table.

+Wars and Soldiers’ Thanksgiving
+Rationing Thanksgiving- World War I
+Thanksgiving During World War II
+The Year There Were Two Thanksgivings
+An American Tradition- Thanksgiving

—> Watch-
–Tale of Two Thanksgivings
–Thanksgiving on the Front WWII
–Macy’s Parade 1945
(even if you just watch a clip of this home movie, it is lovely and
the song is so nice)
– You Are Pardoned, Mr. Turkey
–Thanksgiving During the Korean War
–A 1950’s Thanksgiving
–Ok, let’s review-> THE Story of Thanksgiving

—> Explore-
-Try cooking a whole Depression Era Feast !  See how inexpensively
you can do it!
-Or try this recipe for Depression Era Mock “Apple Pie”
–Traditional Pumpkin Pancakes
(And other homeschooling benefits!)
–Terrible Modern Day Thanksgiving Recipes (just for fun 😀 )
–50 Thanksgiving Recipes (Much tastier recipes I think!)
 –Ideas For a Fun and Meaningful Thanksgiving
–FUN Family Thanksgiving Traditions to Start Now!

—> Coloring–
–Happy Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
–Doodle Art Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
 –Give Thanks Coloring Pages

+Add some words to your Thanksgiving Word List-
  Some ideas to include are-
–rations   -war effort    -pancakes    -depression    -mock  apple pie
-frugal feast    -blessings    -thanks    -Norman Rockwell

+Are there any new Thanksgiving traditions introduced during this time?
+Did you find anything in their celebrations that are similar to any festivals in the past that we’ve studied?
*What are YOUR favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
*Would you add any to your holiday if you could?   Which ones?  Why?
*Write/Draw/Explain what is MOST important about Thanksgiving to you.  
  What traditions would you start to show that ?
 +Add this to your Giving Thanks Chart

+Extra Resources-
–Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn:  The Story of Thanksgiving Symbols
–Thanksgiving, A Time to Remember
–Gratitude: A Prayer & Praise Coloring Journal

**Interested in CHRISTMAS History?   More Coming up!
But if you’re planning ahead, you can start HERE 
And there are TONS of ideas for the boys in your house too!