New insights reveal complexities of the first Thanksgiving in 1621

The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, but it was not the simple celebration often taught in schools. The Wampanoag formed an alliance with the Pilgrims due to recent population declines from disease, which made them vulnerable to rival tribes. The feast was initially uninvited by the Wampanoag, who joined after interpreting gunfire from the colonists as a call for help. The meal included local foods like fish, deer, and corn, differing significantly from modern Thanksgiving dishes. Historically, the event was not seen as significant at the time, as both groups regularly held harvest celebrations. The Thanksgiving holiday was later established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln.