Thanksgiving's Complex History and Legacy

Thanksgiving, often portrayed as a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans, has a complex history marked by cooperation and conflict. The 1621 gathering in Plymouth involved the Wampanoag tribe, who aided the Pilgrims, but this alliance deteriorated over time, leading to Indigenous displacement. While Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, its roots are intertwined with colonialism, prompting some Native Americans to observe it as a day of mourning. Concurrently, PETA protested the presidential turkey pardon tradition, arguing it trivializes animal welfare concerns and urging a vegan lifestyle. This year, President Biden pardoned two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, continuing a light-hearted tradition with ambiguous historical origins linked to past presidents. The legacy of the Pilgrims extends beyond Thanksgiving, influencing U.S. law on issues such as religious liberties and property rights through historical precedents from Plymouth Colony.