For What We Give Thanks

Fall is in the air… or the west coast version of it, anyway. The now shorter days are cooler than those of the previous month. November boasts national holidays that honor our veterans and encourage giving thanks—though it should be noted that both of these days came with a heavy price tag.

November 11^th is Veterans Day. At about 10:00 a.m., parades across the nation will take place to honor those who have served in America’s Armed Forces. Most businesses will close while Americans celebrate the decades-old tradition. In November of 1918, on the 11^th day, in the 11^th hour, at the 11^th minute is when a ceasefire of World War I occurred. It was supposedly the war to end all wars—bloody, violent and filled with the tragic loss of American lives—but unfortunately, it wasn’t. Veterans Day as we now know it was first celebrated in 1919 when President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, a tradition that has lasted through the years. In 1938, by an act of congress, Armistice Day was reborn as Veterans Day.

Thanksgiving is another holiday whose origins stemmed from tragic hardships. The tale espoused in grade school is that of the small ship, Mayflower, which departed from England and arrived at Plymouth Rock. The people on the ship came ashore and made friends with local Native Americans; this friendship—according to the youthful narrative—culminated in a huge feast. That’s the condensed Disney version of our history, minus Disney’s penchant for spontaneous song and dance. The true history is, as always, much darker. 

In September of 1620, Mayflower left Plymouth, England with 102 passengers onboard. These religious separatists were seeking a new home sans persecution where they could freely practice their faith, lured by the promise of fortune and a fresh start in the fabled "New World." While they initially landed in Cape Cod—north of their intended target—eventually, Mayflower entered the Massachusetts Bay and found a home at Plymouth Rock… in the midst of a dead-cold winter.

Exposure and diseases killed many of the settlers; only 49 of the original 102 survived to see spring. Struggling to make it through the winter and ill-equipped for New England’s wide variety of seasons, the settlers were in trouble when various Native Americans made contact in March of 1621. Weakened by malnutrition and illness, these natives taught the settlers how to cultivate corn, catch fish and avoid poisonous foliage. An alliance was formed between the settlers and the Wampanoag tribe, which lasted for over 50 years. It was in November of 1621 that the settlers had their first successful corn harvest. The colony celebrated with a feast and invited a small group of their Native American allies to partake in the three day extravaganza. It was America’s first Thanksgiving, and though it was a time of joy, it came after a year of loss, pain and hardship.

Both the veterans we celebrate at the beginning of November and the American history we commemorate near the end are filled with struggle and sorrow, but with bravery and perseverance too. We use November to honor those who are a part of our rich history, who fought and worked hard for the America we know and love. On these days, give thanks to our veterans and hold your family and friends close. We are grateful for those who came before us and have hope for what the future may hold.

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