The First Thanksgiving was in St. Augustine!!!

When I was a student in elementary school I was taught that Plymouth, Massachusetts and Jamestown, Virginia claimed fame for being the site of the first thanksgiving feasts. It now seems that other sources recognize St. Augustine, Florida as the site of the actual first celebration of thanksgiving. The National Park Service is the most reputable source for this information.

According to the Park Service, on September 8, 1565 Pedro Menendez and 800 Spanish settlers came ashore in St. Augustine Florida and celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving. The feast this day was shared with the Seloy Indian tribe which occupied the area during this time. The Spaniards most likely shared a stew made from pork and garbanzo beans accompanied by hard sea biscuits and red wine. If the Seloy Indians contributed to the meal, the menu could have included turkey, venison, fish, corn, beans, and squash.

This celebration in the first permanent European settlement in North America was the first community act of religion and thanksgiving. It took place at what is now the Mission of Nombre De Dios in St. Augustine and is designated by a 250-foot stainless steel cross which stands at the original landing site.

Today's holiday of Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) was the date that President Lincoln chose in 1863 to be the date of a true national holiday. Lincoln urged the American people to unite in observing this special day of thanksgiving and to restore the nation to a state of peace, harmony tranquility and union.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!