1. From Mayflower to New England:

Thanksgiving was founded before the founding of the United States of America. 1end of the 6th century1beginning of the 7th century, when most parts of North America were still virgin land, Britain on the other side of the Atlantic was undergoing a vigorous religious reform movement. At this time, King James I of England only respected the established religion and suppressed other religions. The Puritans who believed in Calvinism and were dissatisfied with the state religion chose to escape in the face of cruel persecution. They hope to find a country with freedom of belief and safeguard the right to worship God in their own way. America, the "new continent" that Columbus just discovered, became their first choice. It is not only vast and rich in products, but also undeveloped in many places. There is no king, no parliament and no inquisition.

1620 In September, Bradford, the famous leader of Puritans, called 102 companions and boarded a wooden sailboat named "Mayflower". They embarked on a Columbus-style adventure with a beautiful vision. The Mayflower weighs 180 tons and is 90 feet long. It was originally a fishing boat. At this time, it is the most unsuitable season for sailing in a year, and the sea is stormy. Mayflower is like a leaf struggling in a huge wave. After nearly two months of sea bumps, they finally saw the outline of the land with faith and courage. Only one person died unfortunately during the voyage, but a newborn was born, which made the number of people who arrived in the United States still 102.

A new home is in sight. At this moment, the ship stopped. Everybody gather on the deck and form a circle. Since the Mayflower set sail, people have been imagining the ruling order of the new world. Now, they decided to find out the problem before going ashore. The discussion is very intense, but 5 1 adult men on board have the right to participate in the discussion, and women are only allowed to attend. Finally, they drafted and signed a convention, which read: For the glory of God and the progress of Christianity, we who signed here set sail for the sea and will soon open up our home on this land. We solemnly signed a contract before God and voluntarily formed a people's autonomous organization. In order to ensure the smooth progress, maintenance and development of the above objectives, and to formulate and implement just laws, regulations, rules, articles of association and public offices that are beneficial to the overall interests of the colony at any time in the future, we all promise to abide by and obey them. This is the so-called Mayflower Conference. This contract, written on a simple piece of paper, fundamentally denies the theory of divine right of monarchy, expounds the source of state power from the perspective of the people for the first time, and lays the foundation for establishing autonomy and rule of law in the new world. To commemorate their hometown, they named this new land "New England".

2. Thank God and Indians:

According to the ancient sailing tradition, the immigrants first climbed a big stone towering above the sea. Salute roared on the Mayflower, and people were buzzing, celebrating the beginning of a new life. This reef was later called "Plymouth Stone" and became the historical witness of the first permanent colony in New England in North America.

However, the first winter is not easy for these confident and happy immigrants. The cold wind blowing from the Atlantic Ocean and the snow and ice all over the sky caught them off guard. Many people fell ill because of the bad environment and lack of necessary equipment. Subsequent infectious diseases claimed many lives. After the winter, only 50 immigrants who arrived in the United States after hardships survived. When spring came, the kind Indians found them, brought them many necessities, and sent people to teach them how to hunt, fish, grow corn, pumpkin and raise turkeys. With the help of Indians, they got a bumper harvest this autumn. The first pilgrims from England finally established themselves in this colony.

165438+1At the end of October, the immigrants held a grand celebration. They want to thank God for his gift and the Indians for their selfless help. The celebration lasted for three days. At dawn on the first day, the immigrants fired a salute and marched into a room used as a church to express their sincere thanks to God, then lit a bonfire and held a grand banquet. The invited Indians brought five deer as gifts. Mountain game and self-produced corn, pumpkin, turkey, etc. Made into delicious food by immigrants. The two sides sat around the blazing bonfire, eating a feast and chatting about friendship. In the cool autumn wind, Indian boys and young people in Plymouth colony are singing and dancing. On the second and third days, wrestling, running and archery were held. Since then, the Puritans have started a new life.

This custom has been handed down. When the thirteen States of North America were unified, the first president George W? Washington has designated Thanksgiving as a national holiday, but each state decides its own celebration time. It was not until 1863 that President Lincoln decided to take the fourth Thursday in June as the fixed celebration day of Thanksgiving.