November 19, 2007 | Click here to send an email.
The Real First Thanksgiving
   

"No, no, the first Thanksgiving? That was in 1607."

"Nope," said the other, "1621. I'm sure of it. 1621 in Massachusetts."

I was slightly out of earshot, but I recognized the voices of two of my colleagues as I sat on the House floor and knew they shared with me a love of history. I turned and walked over to them.

"Actually, gentlemen," I said. "You are both wrong."

My statement was met with surprise.

"The first Thanksgiving was held in Virginia on the James River in 1619."

"What?" they both said.

"Really." I responded. "Look it up."

And really, it is true. Most Americans cling to the familiar story of Thanksgiving with Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower and landed on Plymouth Rock and found themselves in tumultuous times of famine and struggles as they tried to settle in a new land. With the help of the Native Americans, the pilgrims were able to cultivate crops and bring an end to the settler’s early struggles. To celebrate, the Pilgrims had a grand community feast to show their gratitude for the Native Americans and their happiness with the new land. That story is told to children all across the United States each November.

You may not realize that Thanksgiving was not officially declared a national holiday until October 3, 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday of November (which was later changed to the fourth Thursday) would be Thanksgiving Day, a day of national thanksgiving and praise to God. He did so in response to a magazine editor who wrote to him encouraging him to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving as a way to increase national pride in the midst of the Civil War. And before this official proclamation by Abraham Lincoln establishing a national day of Thanksgiving, there were many accounts of thanksgiving celebrations that took place across our developing nation, like the ones my colleagues on the House floor were discussing.

But there is one such account that should make Virginians particularly proud, because the story of the first Thanksgiving actually happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nearly two years before the settlers landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusettes, a group of settlers made their way across a grassy knoll to a place now known as Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia. Before they made their journey to the new land, the King of England told them “on the day of the ship's arrival shall be yearly and perpetually kept as a day of thanksgiving." On December 4, 1619, the settlers arrived at the future site of Berkeley Plantation in Virginia. Their Captain, John Woodlief, instructed the colonists to drop to their knees in prayer, to thank God for their safe arrival to the new land, and in doing so, they celebrated the very first Thanksgiving. Some historians report that these settlers likely feasted on small meals of peas, cinnamon water, cornmeal cake, and, of course, Virginia ham.

On Monday, November 19, I traveled to Berkeley Plantation, along with President Bush, to commemorate the 1619 landing of the original colonists at Berkeley Plantation and the first official Thanksgiving in the United States. As Virginians, this is a historical account that we should be proud to share with others and another significant part of the rich history that is Virginia’s.

This Thanksgiving, whatever your family's traditions may be, may your homes be filled with gratitude, warmth, and fond memories as we give thanks for our families, our democracy, our everyday freedoms in the United States and all of those who have fought to give us those freedoms. As you sit around the dinner table with family and friends, I encourage you to share the story of the true first Thanksgiving that occurred at Berkeley Plantation in the Commonwealth of Virginia and allow it to be a reminder that, as Virginians, we have the opportunity to be both thankful and proud.

 

For more historic information on Thanksgiving, visit these sites below:

 

Library of Congress Thanksgiving Timeline

 

Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of Thanksgiving Day

 

About Berkeley Plantation

 

Thanksgiving Day Facts from the US Census Bureau

 

 

Digital Tour of the Fourth District

Sweeping from the south-central portion of the state to the south-eastern shorelines, the Fourth Congressional District is home to major agricultural areas including large peanut and corn fields, beautiful coastal waterways like the Chesapeake Bay and the Dismal Swamp Canal, and one of the largest military installations in the state. The Fourth District covers one of Virginia’s most diverse regions.

Click the photo below to go to our Fourth District photo gallery and take a digital tour of some of the most beautiful spots across the Fourth District.

The Chesterfield Courthouse in Chesterfield, Virginia. The first Chesterfield County courthouse was erected in 1750. In 1917 it was demolished and replaced by this larger Georgian Revival brick building that served the county until the 1960s.

 
 

SPOTLIGHT
 

Support Our Troops: Send a Note From Home

 

 

This Christmas we have a unique opportunity to ensure that our troops feel our support during the holidays. Click the link below to find out how your family can participate in this important project.

Click here to find out more.

 


 

Read FAQs and Answers on Staph Infections

 

 


Read these questions and answers on staph infections, or MRSA from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Click here to go.

 


 

Read These Laptop Security Tips Before Traveling

 

 


Thinking of taking your laptop on the road? Before you travel, read these security tips to help you keep your laptop safe and in your possession.


Click here to go.

 


Other News

Nov 14, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Statement on Passage of Conference Report on FY 2008 Defense Appropriations

Nov 4, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Announces $159,144 Grant for Alberta Volunteer Fire Department

Nov 2, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Supports Two Bills to Provide Veterans with Increased Benefits



ON THE HILL
PHOTO GALLERY

Congressman Forbes speaks at the MODSIM World Conference and Expo 2007.

 

Congressman Forbes meets with Petersburg City Officials.
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