Most Americans associate Thanksgiving with the famous 1621 gathering at Plymouth Rock, but the roots of this beloved tradition actually stretch back even further. Two years before that well-known celebration, settlers in Berkeley, Virginia, held what is now recognized as the true first Thanksgiving on December 4, 1619. Though frequently passed over in popular memory, this pivotal moment in American history stands as a powerful testament to the lasting ideals of community and gratitude that still define the holiday today.

Fun Facts:

  • Oldest Thanksgiving Site: Though no feast was part of the occasion, Berkeley Plantation in Virginia — a location rich with historical significance — is widely regarded as the site where the first official Thanksgiving was observed.
  • Annual Thanksgiving Order: The charter governing the settlers laid out specific rules and guidelines for their community, and among its provisions was a mandate to honor December 4 each year as a dedicated day of Thanksgiving. This requirement played a meaningful role in shaping the settlers' governance and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
  • While the 1619 Virginia Thanksgiving may not enjoy the same widespread recognition as its Plymouth counterpart, its influence on the modern holiday is unmistakable. The values of gratitude and togetherness that defined that original observance continue to resonate through our annual celebrations, forging a direct link between present-day traditions and our earliest historical roots.
  • Historical Rediscovery: For centuries, the 1619 Thanksgiving slipped into obscurity — it wasn't until the 20th century that historians brought it back to light. Through painstaking research, careful examination of archival records, and the challenging work of deciphering aged documents, scholars managed to reconstruct the story of the Berkeley settlers' arrival and their act of observance. The effort involved piecing together fragmented historical narratives, and it serves as a compelling reminder of why preserving and revisiting our collective past matters so deeply.
  • Presidential Recognition: The 1619 Virginia Thanksgiving received formal acknowledgment at the highest level of government in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy honored it as an essential chapter in the story of American history.