Today is Thanksgiving here in the United States. It’s a pretty cool day because everybody eats turkey and I like turkey.
But what I want to know is what everybody is thankful for?
What, person?
Oh. My person says there is a lot to be thankful for, but my person says the first Thanksgiving was celebrated because the pilgrims who came to Plymouth, Massachusetts were thankful that they had survived their first winter. And they were thankful to the Native Americans who had helped them survive. That was in 1621.
I think that was a long time ago. Was I around then?
I wasn’t? I bet my person was around then though.
Oh. You were born a little bit later than that? How much later?
I am listening to the story.
A Native American named Squanto was especially helpful to the pilgrims. He was from the Patuxet tribe and had been captured by a ship that had come near his village. He lived for awhile in England and learned English and was eventually allowed to come back home.
Squanto came back home to find his entire village had been wiped out by a plague. A short time later pilgrims came and settled in Plymouth, which had been the location of Squanto’s village.
Squanto taught the pilgrims how to farm and how to find food.
Did he teach them how to make treats for their dogs?
I’m listening. Oh yeah, I guess they didn’t need special dog treats. They had turkey treats.
The pilgrims were so thankful to Squanto and the other Native Americans that had helped them survive that they held a big feast in the fall and invited many of the Native Americans to join them. The feast lasted for three days and even if the dogs just got the scraps they were doing good. There was a lot of good food there.
The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930). The First Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth in 1621. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) See, I told you there were dogs needing treats.
What do you mean this is supposed to be the history of Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is all about food, isn’t it?
Okay, one more tidbit – of turkey, that is.
Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated every year at first, but in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving.
Hooray for President Lincoln! I’m for sure voting for him next election.
bongodogblog 
thesweetkitten
November 22, 2012 at 10:38 am
Happy Thanksgiving, Bongo!
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 11:32 am
Thanks Sweet Kitten. I can’t wait till it’s turkey time.
runningwithellen
November 22, 2012 at 10:44 am
A better history lesson than the one I got in grade school! Turkey all around!
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 11:33 am
Ellen, my person says she didn’t know anything about Squanto until she got a book about him for my younger person when he was little. Happy Turkey Day!
marina kanavaki
November 22, 2012 at 10:45 am
I thought YOU were running for President, Bongo!!!! 😆
Happy Thanksgiving, happy ears!
All the best to you, Scratchy and your persons!
🙂
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 11:35 am
Marina, I almost forgot. I guess I’ll have to wait to vote for Lincoln after my term is complete. Happy day to you!
Genevieve Petrillo
November 22, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Have a happy turkey party, B.
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Thanks Cupcake. You too!
philosophermouseofthehedge
November 22, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Happy turkey daze to all
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Happy Turkey Day to everyone at your house too.
Kari
November 22, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Happy Thanksgiving
Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to you too Kari.
angelswhisper2011
November 22, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Happy Thanksgiving, Bongo… I vote for the turkey 😀
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Thanks Angels Whisper. I’m voting for turkey too. It’s the best!
To Shea
November 22, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Happy Thanksgiving Bongo….I am Thankful that everyone in my family survived Hurricane Sandy!!!
Eat Lots of Turkey….Woof…Woof!
Alex and Penny
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Thanks Alex and Penny. You really do have a lot to be thankful for this year. I’m thankful all of you survived too. I hope you get lots of turkey too.
Mag (Chancy's Mumsy)
November 22, 2012 at 3:17 pm
We enjoyed you story sweet Bongo and we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hugs and nose kisses
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Thanks Chancy and Mumsy. I had a really good Thanksgiving. I got turkey! I hope yours was good too. Hugs and nose kisses back to you.
Mag (Chancy's Mumsy)
November 22, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Mine was real good Bongo I got some chicken and green peas my favorites. Glad you had a good Thanksgiving.
Bassetmomma
November 22, 2012 at 4:03 pm
I hope you’re having a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Thanks Bassetmomma. It was the best. I got turkey!
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
November 22, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Thanks Misty Shores. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
tylersat99
November 22, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Happy Thanksgiving Bongo and family. We are very thankful for our family and the turkey we had with dinner. We are thankful for our wonderful woods to walk in, and we are thankful for our friends. Thank you for being our friend 🙂
Bongo
November 22, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Lexie and Mica, I think Thanksgiving is over at your house, but it’s still Thanksgiving here for a little while – so Happy Thanksgiving to you too. And thank you for being my friend too.
themisadventuresofmisaki
November 23, 2012 at 1:35 am
Hope you gotlots of treats Bongo!
Bongo
November 23, 2012 at 11:39 am
Misaki, I finally got some turkey. Woo woo!
Dalton
November 23, 2012 at 2:12 am
I knew you would be the one ooo would be explaining the turkey day to me, as I didn’t quite get it!! I feel wiser now!
Bongo
November 23, 2012 at 11:41 am
Dalton, I’m glad you enjoyed learning about it. I think there’s a lot of people in the States who don’t know the history of Thanksgiving.
Long Life Cats and Dogs
November 23, 2012 at 3:36 am
Great history lesson Bongo. Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving with tons of turkey treats.
Bongo
November 23, 2012 at 11:41 am
Thanks Susan. I finally got some turkey treats at the end of the day.
eripanwkevin
November 23, 2012 at 6:46 am
I knew about the name of the day “Thanksgiving Day” and about that humans eat Turky on the day, but didn’t know that how it started, so today’s story was very interesting Bongo! and also very touching and beautiful story. Yes, although I don’t live in USA, hooray for President Lincoln because people always remember the great story on the day! 🙂
Bongo
November 23, 2012 at 11:43 am
Kevin, most people here don’t remember much about the story of Thanksgiving. It’s mostly a day to get together with family and friends, remember what you’re thankful for, and eat lots of turkey and other food.
Dianda
November 25, 2012 at 6:34 am
Hope you had a great thanksgiving, Bongo!
Bongo
November 25, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Thanks Dianda. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving because I got turkey.
colliesofthemeadow
November 27, 2012 at 7:45 am
Great Story! We hate to admit it but we laughed at the comment about your mom being around then.. hehehe…. We agree, we are voting for President Lincoln in the next election too… 🙂
Bongo
November 27, 2012 at 11:38 am
Chuck and Collies, any president that gives us holidays with special treats is okay by me. Oh yeah, I think my person was around then but she won’t admit it.