In the early 1620s a group of Puritans arrived near Cape Cod. This small group of men and women sought to establish a colony where they could avoid religious persecution. The first winter was a brutal one. Many of the settlers did not leave the ship and suffered from various sicknesses and diseases. By the spring, only half of the original settlers remained. Those who survived moved to the shore and began attempting to establish a successful colony. The settlers developed a relationship with a Native American tribe called the Wampanoag. After the first successful corn season in 1621, Gov. William Bradford organized the colonists and their Native American allies to celebrate the first harvest. The feast would become known as the “first thanksgiving.” The relationship developed between the Native Americans and colonists was one of the few peaceful alliances seen in the new world, and lasted for over 50 years.
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to remember the brave men and women who were among the first to successfully venture onto this continent. These individuals were some of the first founders of this great nation. It was their courage and bravery to pursue a better life that set the foundation for American morals and values we can still see today.
Thanksgiving is also a time to honor friendship and cooperation. Without the help of the Wampanoag tribe, the colony at Plymouth never would have survived. This expression of generosity and care for fellow man proves that individuals with different values, opinions, cultures and lifestyles can not only co-exist, but succeed together.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to be thankful of what all we have. We are so fortunate to live in America. We, as N.C. State students, have the opportunity to attend a great university, and attain a higher education. College can be difficult, and it is not always fun, but the education we receive is important and will last us a lifetime. We need to be thankful for all the opportunities we are given, and make the most of each and every one. Life can be hard, especially during these trying economic times, but compared to other parts of the world, we live like royalty. We should be thankful for the opportunities and things that we have every day, but especially this Thursday.
Enjoy your break and do not worry about school for a couple days. Spend some time with friends and family. Eat some good food. Watch some football, but don’t forget to reflect and be appreciative of all you have and the experiences you have been blessed with. On Thursday I will be eating mountains of turkey, ham, potatoes and pumpkin pie while I watch the cowboys on T.V. with about 20 relatives around me. It’s going to be a great day. Happy Thanksgiving, and go PACK!
