Thanksgiving wasn't really a national holiday until 1863 when Lincoln made it a proclamation.
New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day in 1817 as a custom and many states soon followed.
In the 1930's during FDR's term as president. Merchants urged the date for Thanksgiving moved a week back, in order to increase the shopping season and stimulate the economy. For some years it was called the Democrats Thanksgiving.
There are many fairy tales and fables regarding the first Thanksgiving. A good research book to start with is "Lies My Teacher Told Me" the name of the author eludes me at the moment.
Many cultures for centuries preceding the "Mayflower Plymouth Pilgrims" celebrated the harvest, including the Dutch. Which may have influenced the Pilgrims.
Often slaves/bond servants were permitted to eat after the family ate. Then what ever was left over was either placed in a soup/stew, discarded or fed to the pigs. They didn't have refrigeration. A low simmering stew tended not to spoil.
2006-10-08 14:19:43
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answer #1
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answered by Eldude 6
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This is only a guess, but if Black people were present on the FIRST THANKSGIVING, when the Indians helped to save the first colonists, I bet they ate the same food.
Perhaps this is one American holiday that ALL Americans can celebrate; we all have something to give thanks for. However bad your situation is in the USA, you don't have to look far across the world to see worse.
If Turkey and trimmings are not to your family's taste, serve their favorite food, and make a new tradition for your family.
Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand
2006-10-08 14:30:55
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I agree with the second post. Thanksgiving was really pre-slavery the way we all know it. I would assume though that the scraps of meat (chitterlings), leafy vegatables with cured meat, hash, and depending on what kind of plantation they were on some good extras or slop. I don't know if it would be so healthy to eat some of those items. The only reason they ate those things is because those were the only things they had or could work with. I am sure they weren't given turkeys or if they were allowed to kill one I am sure that was extremely rare and with kindness from their master.
2006-10-08 14:24:43
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answer #3
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answered by StarrLite 2
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Were there slaves on the first Thanksgiving? Did the Pilgrims bring slaves with them? I didn't think the slave trade in America picked up until later than that. I would imagine everyone ate pretty similar stuff--whatever was in season in New England in early fall--apples, pumpkins, squash, potatoes, corn, cranberries, wild birds, fish.....
2006-10-08 14:23:39
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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The which potential of Thanksgiving is the slaughter of poor defenseless animals, basically so we are able to get fat and be lazy observing soccer video games. Thanksgiving isn't used for giving owing to the lord.
2016-10-15 23:49:27
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answer #5
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answered by ? 4
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I don't think slaves were introduced yet. the pilgrims were just settling in the New World and the Indians like Samoset and Sqanto, were helping them out.
2006-10-08 14:24:09
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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probably the usual since they were not a part of the main stream as being slaves.
2006-10-08 14:25:38
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answer #7
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answered by cadaholic 7
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Turkey, potatoes, popcorn and bread to name a few.
2006-10-08 16:48:56
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answer #8
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answered by kitty 2
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masters left overs
2006-10-08 15:05:14
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answer #9
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answered by just_me_1955 5
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well, iam not for sure but white people was mean to them for some reason. so i guess they had bread
2006-10-08 14:20:40
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answer #10
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answered by rocxey_24 2
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