On November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving will be celebrated by millions around the United States. Families will come together to enjoy a large home-cooked feast. According to History.com, most meals generally include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

So, where did this celebration start? History.com also informs that the Mayflower left Plymouth in 1620. All 120 passengers, not including staff, left seeking the freedom to practice the religion of their choice. Finally, after a long voyage, the Mayflower was settled at what the Pilgrims called the “New World”. Fighting disease and hunger, the settlers who survived finally moved ashore in March. Eventually they met Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who taught the settlers about farming, fishing, plants, and many more valuable skills.

In November of 1621, Governor William Bradford put together a large feast after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest was a success. This is known as the first Thanksgiving, although it was not called that at the time. Thanksgiving finally became an official holiday in 1863, proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln.

So how much has Thanksgiving changed since then? Though still celebrated for the same reasons, the food we eat today still differs from the original feasts. According to epicurious.com, at the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims enjoyed foods like wildfowl, corn, pumpkin, and squash. Today, most families eat turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, and many more items. So what are our students favorite dishes on this holiday? To Madison Kipp, green bean casserole is the best Thanksgiving dish, but to Taylor Chelgren, it is the key lime pie made by her grandmother each year. Some more popular favorites include macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, and pumpkin pie.

From turkey to pumpkin pie, there are endless choices when it comes to Thanksgiving dishes. On Thursday, November 22, take advantage of all of the wonderful foods you eat during Thanksgiving dinner and remember where they came from. Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for everyone and everything around you, especially all of the delicious courses and desserts!