Back in elementary school, I learned that the first Thanksgiving was a day of great happiness and triumph. The pilgrims had endured a very difficult year of famine and travel in order to arrive and settle in the New World. During the first months of their settlement, more than half of the colony died because of starvation. Then, some Native Americans came and taught the settlers how to grow food and hunt for meat on this new strange land. The Natives and the pilgrims learned to live at peace with each other. After the harvest, it was that day that the pilgrims and the Native Americans were first able to sit together in peace and enjoy a meal they worked hard to harvest. It was a day set aside to remember to be grateful for everything they had accomplished, and everything they were able to enjoy.

There were many elementary activities around Thanksgiving, some to further understanding of the history around the holiday, and other activities that were just for fun. I remember learning that on Thanksgiving people like to eat turkey. In one class, we made a handprint out of paint and decorated it to make it look like a turkey. I remember coloring cornucopias as well. Thanksgiving was made to be one of my favorite holidays early in life. Partially because of the food, and also because of the fond way it was taught to me in elementary school.