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A proud history
In Fall of 1997, I "visited" the Plimoth (original spelling) Plantation in Massachusetts via the Internet - it has its own web page. Cyberspace is truly an amazing place where the past and present can meet. Here's what I learned. The original Thanksgiving feast was a one-time only, three-day event that occurred sometime between September 21st and November 11th, 1621. Our current November date was created much later. Attending the feast were the 50 surviving colonists (52 other members of the Mayflower party perished the previous winter) and a group of 90 Wampanoag Indians, led by Chief Massasoit. The Indians brought five deer with them. It's also likely that wild fowl, fish, pumpkin, corn, fruit and other local foods were served that day.
Without the help of the Indians, it is probable the Pilgrims would not have survived. One warrior in particular, Squanto, was especially valuable. When the Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth in 1620, they were astonished to meet this Wampanoag Indian from the village of Patuxet, who spoke English, and was willing to teach them how to survive the winter.
Even more amazing was that Squanto had already crossed the Atlantic ocean four times. He'd been to England twice, and spent several years in Spain after being kidnapped by earlier explorers and sold into slavery. His intelligence, resourcefulness and endurance typifies the spirit of America's Indians. Ironically, Plymouth Plantation was built at Squanto's home village at Patuxet. While he was in slavery in Spain, the entire Indian village was destroyed by European-borne diseases. Squanto was the only survivor. He died a year after the Thanksgiving feast, in 1622.
Chief Massasoit was a powerful friend of the Pilgrims. During his lifetime, there was generally peace. After his death, colonists no longer kept promises and treaties. A terrible war broke out; often referred to as King Philip's War. Massasoit's son, Metacom, who was called King Philip by the colonists, tried valiantly to maintain his people's way of life. But the Indians had been decimated by European-borne diseases, and could not compete against European weapons and technology. Philip was captured and executed, and his wife and children sold into slavery in the West Indies.
Doing honorable service
In addition to helping many immigrants who came to America, Indians have made valuable contributions to this country. Native Americans have served honorably to defend the United States, in every war since the Revolution. George Washington often gave friendship medals to chiefs and warriors who fought bravely to keep the fledgling nation alive.
Chief Junaluska and 100 Cherokee warriors led the successful attack that won the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812. Junaluska personally saved the life of General Andrew Jackson, who later became President. Jackson rewarded the Cherokees' loyalty by forcing most of the tribe to leave their homeland and move West, on what is often called "The Trail of Tears."
In World War I and II, many Indians served as military messengers and "codetalkers." Navajo codetalkers, in particular, played a crucial role in the U.S. victory in the Pacific during World War II. They transmitted secret military messages in the Navajo language - and their codes were never broken by the enemy. Tens of thousands of Indian men and women have served in the military from World War I to Desert Storm, receiving many military medals.
During the presentation of Ken Burns' Lewis and Clark: Journey of the Corps of Discovery, which aired on TV12 in the fall of 1997, Sacajawea's story was told. This heroic young Indian woman, serving as their interpreter, helped them successfully travel through Indian country to the Pacific ocean and back. She even had a baby along the way! Without her, this amazing journey would never have been completed.
For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our families, our homes and our lives. Perhaps each Thanksgiving we can also be thankful for the many contributions of Native Americans that have been forgotten. We can use this day to promote peace and friendship among people of different races and cultures, for the benefit of our country, our children and our children's children.
by Samuel M. Lemon, M.S.
Manager, WHYY Community Education Services.
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Fall is the time of year when we speak of "Indian Summer." We buy Indian corn to decorate our doors. And as harvest time approaches, we inevitably think of Thanksgiving. Children all over the region learn about one of the most enduring legends in American history - the First Thanksgiving.