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The real meaning of Thanksgiving Day?

Most schools in America try to tell that Thanksgiving is a holiday to celebrate and be thankful for the friendship with the Indians. We were not their friends if you look through real history and facts. The events that took place show that we in fact slaughtered them to take over their lands. Much like we have done to many ever since. People think of the Pilgrims and Indians sitting down to a big feast and celebrating. It seems that did happen only one time! The real truth about Thanksgiving is below for those that care to read on. The real story of Thanksgiving began in 1614 when a band of English explorers sailed home to England with a ship full of Patuxet Indians bound for slavery. They left a gift called smallpox for the remaining Indians. That virtually wiped out those who had escaped the explorers. When the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts Bay they found only one living Patuxet Indian. The Indians name was Squanto. He not only survived slavery in England but he also knew their language. Squanto taught the pilgrims to grow corn and to fish. Squanto negotiated a peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation. At the end of their first year, the Pilgrims held a great feast honoring Squanto and the Wampanoags. Sadly the word spread in England about the land found in the new world. It seems that the Pilgrims were all talking of taking over the lands. Soon after the word of the new land spread the religious zealots called Puritans began arriving by boats to the (so called) new found lands. (These lands were not new to the Indians for it had been their home and land long before and evil Pilgrims set foot there.) Since there were no fences or security around the land they considered it to be in the public domain. With the help of other British settlers they captured strong young Native Americans for slaves and killed the rest. They then took over the land from the Indians that remained living. The Pequot Nation had not agreed to the peace treaty Squanto had negotiated and they fought back. The Pequot War was one of the bloodiest Indian wars ever fought. The Pilgrims killed all Indian Tribes & took over the lands in a brutal way. In 1637 about 700 men, women and children of the Pequot Tribe had gathered for their annual Green Corn Festival. That is what they call our Thanksgiving celebration. In the early morning hours the sleeping Indians were surrounded by English and Dutch mercenaries. It is said they then ordered them to come outside. Those who came out were shot or clubbed to death. The terrified women and children who huddled inside and some were burned alive. The next day the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared "A Day Of Thanksgiving" because 700 unarmed men, women and children had been murdered. Sadly that is the story of Thanksgiving that has been documented in many places and it is the facts that they try to hide from most Americans. The Indians were not violent savage people as they would make you think in a lot of American History books and schools. The Indians were those that believed in Nature and protection of animals and other people. The Indians were amazing in many ways. They did not kill just to be killing or kill for lands and power as the usa does. The Indians were brave warriors that fought hard to try to keep their families safe and worked together to share and provide food, clothing and shelter to each other. Now maybe we see why some more peaceful countries do not celebrate this day. I myself am always sad on Thanksgiving when I think of what has been done and wonder what it would have been like if not for the sad slaughter of the beautiful Indians. Every Thanksgiving you will find Leigh Girl doing a live Peace Paint in memory of the Indians that were slaughtered then and through history. This is a sad event and her way of saying that she is sorry for what injustice has been done in the past to such beautiful people. You can find her website at www.facepaint.ws if you wish to book mark that and get in to see this yearly event. Now our America has people killing each other for money and no reasons at all on a daily basis. People stealing from each other, homeless people that few seem to try to really help. The world is nothing like it should be and was. The usa takes over lands from others and steals their resources still while telling lies and spreading american hate. Is this what we really have become and really want to show our children. Look at your news and media then look to other countries and translate their news. Find the facts on everything before you judge people or agree with slaughter of people anywhere. The USA has taken many lives for no reason and it breaks my heart and gives me great shame to say that I am of the USA. Still to this day I can not stand to see their flags fly for it breaks my heart and reminds me of past and present events. THANKSGIVING one of the sick American Holidays or did you look up American Holiday Thanksgiving? Obviously Thanksgiving is an American thing. What other country would celebrate the mass murder of people to take over lands. Of course Thanksgiving is so American and a true day of sorrow and time to remember the Indians. If you were looking for Indian art or Indian Style art and tribal paint check out leigh's bodypaint for tribal bodypaint by leigh free on Thanksgiving or free for Thanksgiving to be remembered in the real way and for the truth. our page Body Art by Leigh

Public Comments

1. Kind of a long question! Not sure how precise your facts are in relation to thanksgiving but agree with you on one thing - the history of how Amrican Indians were treated has been buried completely. Do read a fantastic book on this - "Bury my heart at Wounded Knee" .
2. Yeah yeah we've all seen the movie "Squanto" and the last time I looked this was a place to ask question not to rant about you feelings on Thanksgiving. "The real meaning of Thanksgiving?" is not a question.Putting a question mark at the end of a statement does constitute a question. That said,your point is well taken,but you really should try to find the proper forum to discuss this with those who feel the same. Do you participate in Thanksgiving Day festivities,do you eat turkey,dressing,cranberry sauce,maybe a slice of pumkin pie? Thanksgiving,like Easter,and Christmas have all but lost their true meaning for many,but are great and enjoyable traditions none the less. Much of our history,here in America,is a mixture of truth and a bit of fable,but that is true with just about all old world history. Recent history,being in the eyes of the media constantly,is a bit harder to disguise. No one is forced to participate in our traditional holidays,although the media and marketing made it hard to ignore,you can still decide to abstain from holiday activities,but you don't have to Scrooge it up for the rest of us! Would you like to leave America,go back to your ancestors homeland so that Native Americans can have all of their land back.Thought not. Here is a link to an article that you will surely find interesting. http://www.blackcommentator.com/66/66_cover_thanksgiving.html
3. The real meaning of Thanksgiving is Bowl Games. Forget was it used to be about, now it's all about good grub and FOOTBALL!
4. Me and my boyfriend meet my whole dads side of the family at my grandmothers and we eat and the men usually watch football.. then me and my boyfriend leave and meet my moms side of the family and my other grandmas house and we eat and talk and the men play pool.. ( lol starting to see a patern with the men) and then me and my bf leave there and go meet his family prolly at some resturaunt... lol.. we have found out that if u barely eat at each place it works better... lol and u still get full... I cant wait until Thanksgiving :-