In America turkey is the typical Thanksgiving dinner table because of tradition. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists did not serve pork when they shared an autumn harvest feast with the Wampanoag Indians. (Interestingly, the country did not have an official Thanksgiving for years. It was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln established the national November holiday.)
In truth, historians cannot confirm what specific fowl was served that day. However, according to a letter written by pilgrim penman Edward Winslow, a hunt for the native bird occurred before the now historic meal. Additionally, some historians believe that the settlers chose to eat turkey instead of goose because goose was what was favored in the “Old World”.
Today the celebratory meal generally also includes such things as cranberries, corn, winter squash and pumpkin pie. These were foods that the colonists had never before seen let alone enjoyed. These foods were actually the last the Wampanoag harvested. Replicating the meal once enjoyed by the colonists and Wampanaog people symbolizes the differences between the New World from the old and further reminds Americans how the United States began. That’s why Americans eat turkey on the fourth Thursday of every November. Be thankful you are not a fine-feathered-feast and have a great Thanksgiving!
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