Foundation of Thanksgiving

A historical look of the Thanksgiving holiday reveals to us the foundational beliefs the  Pilgrim's held, that served to form of a nation. As English Puritans who were dissatisfied with the incomplete work of the Reformation by the Church of England. This group of christian believers were committed to living their lives  according to the Bible. Most were farmers with little education.  They became known as Separatists, and the one group originating from the village of Scroobys in Nottinghamshire, ultimately decided to emigrate to Amsterdam, Holland in the year 1608 in search of religious freedom. In 1609, the group moved to Leiden, where they remained for approx. twelve years. During this time period, the English Puritans become concerned about the education and moral standards their children are subjected to, as part of living in Dutch society. On that basis a decision is made to leave Holland in order to travel to the New World. Obtaining financing from a group of English investors, called the Merchant Adventurers, an agreement is made for them to acquire their supplies for travel to the New World in exchange for 7 years of work for their investors. On Sept. 6, 1620, the ship known as the Mayflower sets sail from Plymouth, England for the New World with forty-four puritans, who referred to themselves as the "Saints", and sixty-six others, whom they called the "Strangers." Their voyage would take a total of 65 days, in cold and damp weather. Having to eat their food cold during the trip, due to the danger fire would pose being on a wooden ship. The length of the trip and the conditions the passengers would endure, resulted in many becaming sick and one person losing their life before reaching their destination. On Nov. 10, 1620, the first sighting of land is made, Cape Cod. Because disagreements had developed between the "Saints" and the "Strangers", the day after sighting land, an agreement was established by the signing of the "Mayflower Compact". This document forms the foundation for the principals that unified the two groups, determining the standards of co-existence as "Pilgrims", and when the uncensored/unedited copy is read, it discloses to us their intent by using the terminology "for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith".  Clearly presenting to it's readers their belief and committment to living under the guidance of God.    Sources:http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pilgrims.htmhttp://www.mayflowerfamilies.com/colonial_life/pilgrims.htm http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/mayflower.htm