America’s Thanksgiving: An ode to immigration

Thanksgiving is a major US holiday that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year.  Historical accounts suggest that the very first Thanksgiving feast was held in November 1620 by the English Pilgrims who disembarked from the legendary Mayflower ship at Cape Cod in  present-day Massachusetts, and eventually became known as the Plymouth colonists. 

Although there are conflicting versions regarding actual dates and events, many scholars believe that the Mayflower did not drop anchor on the New England shores until at least 11 November 1620, followed by the "first" Thanksgiving feast that occurred soon thereafter.

Relegated to the footnotes of history was the fact that the "first" Thanksgiving feast was attended by the local Indian tribe (Wampanoag) headed by its Chieftain, Massasoit, who, with ninety of his men, hunted and offered deer to the colonists. 

Among the food offerings on the table were venison, fowl and vegetables.  This initial harvest meal was hailed as the first symbol of cooperation between the English settlers, or "immigrants," and the original occupants of the land, the Native Americans.

A glimpse of the first Thanksgiving feast would illustrate the odyssey of a group of people from a foreign land (England) who found a new home in a vast territory already populated by local inhabitants (Native Indians). 

Immigrants, in reality

Although these English settlers did call themselves "colonists" (presumably to emphasize their perceived superiority over the locals), in reality they were "immigrants."  They did not originally come from the Americas — they originated from Europe.  According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, to "immigrate" means "to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence."

Although strictly speaking, America was not yet a "country" at the time, it already had existing populations, albeit loosely scattered, with their own forms of local governance and independent economic subsistence. 

Legally speaking, the Native Americans were the de facto occupants of a vast dominion called America and in that respect were the natural owners of the land.  Thus, anybody not originally from the territory at the time was considered a non-native and, therefore, an "immigrant."

What is the significance of all this?

It means that America is a nation founded on immigration.

Whether the American people admit it or not, whenever the country celebrates Thanksgiving, it is paying homage to the story of a group or groups of immigrants who celebrate their bountiful harvests and good graces in their newly found land.

Sublime reenactment

It is a sublime reenactment of the feast that the original "settlers" had prepared to share their joy and blessings with their original hosts, the Native Americans.

It reflects the undeniable reality that America was once a foreign land, owned and occupied by the Native Americans, who offered hope and friendship to the new arrivals from the Old World.

It symbolizes the welcoming tradition of America centuries before the birth of Ellis Island.

Thanksgiving, indeed, is a living testament to America's unique character as a land of immigrants.

Thus, anyone who believes that America is not founded on immigration is deludedly wrong.

Just ask the first Americans.

Just ask the original Plymouth colonists.

Just ask Chief Massasoit and his band of ninety men.

They were there.