In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers, a group of on hundred people wanting
a pure and simple lifestyle – not the rich decorations of the church and the
arrogance of its bishops) were fined, imprisoned and then driven out of the
country.
They left England on a very old ship – the Mayflower – and headed
towards the New World. It was a difficult and dangerous journey, but after two
months they landed. It was winter, they had little food left, they got sick and
many of them died. When they lost any hope, something unexpected happened. Some
local American Indians came to help and brought them corn, turkey and other
wild game. They showed them also the best places to fish and hunt.
Nowadays, on the fourth Thursday of November, the Americans
get together and celebrate the Thanksgiving day. It is a tradition to give
thanks to God for all the things they have. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner
consists in corn, turkey, pumpkin and cranberry sauce, as symbols of survival.
In 1621, the Pilgrim Fathers sat down at the table and eat
their Thanksgiving meal. It was one year after their arrival in the New World.
