Thanksgiving extra credit

Watch the "Real Story of Thanksgiving" video

Then answer all of these questions:
1.  Although feasts to give thanks had been celebrated for hundreds of years, the holiday was not
officially celebrated in the U.S. until what year? Why do you think Thanksgiving was established as
a national holiday?
2. The Pilgrims’ survival depended on knowledge they gained from the Wampanoag people. What were
relations like between the British in Plymouth and the Wampanoag? How did this change over time?
3. Today, many people still believe the myth that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared one large
feast together in 1621 to celebrate their cooperation and relationships. What did you learn from this
documentary about the real story behind the meal they shared?
4. Who was Sarah Josepha Hale and what role did she play in establishing Thanksgiving as a national
tradition? What were her goals for the Thanksgiving holiday?
5. What role did Thanksgiving play during the Civil War era? Why do you think President Lincoln
encouraged everyone to participate in this tradition?
6. Why was Thursday chosen for Thanksgiving? Why did President Roosevelt move Thanksgiving from
the fourth Thursday of November to the third Thursday of November and how did the nation respond?
7. The Macy’s parade is associated today with Thanksgiving Day. How and when did the parade become
a Thanksgiving tradition? How did Macy’s contribute to WWII through its parade resources?
8. What kinds of food were most likely served at the feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag?
How does this compare with your family feast?
9. When did the tradition of playing and watching football games on Thanksgiving Day first start?
10. How do you think more people could learn about the history behind Thanksgiving?