The Story of the Mayflower and the First Thanksgiving for Children: History for Kids - FreeSchool

You are viewing FreeSchool! After trade and communication between Europe and the Americas began following Columbus's voyage in 1492, many Europeans began looking for opportunities in the New World. One such group, now known as the Pilgrims, sailed from England to North America in 1620. Some of them wanted to sail to America because they thought they could earn money there. Some of them sought greater religious freedoms. They all thought that a new life in a new land might give them what they were looking for. In the summer of 1620, a ship named the Mayflower and a second ship named the Speedwell set sail from England for the Americas.

However, shortly after their journey began, the Speedwell leaked and they had to stop for repairs. They set sail again, but had only traveled a few hundred miles from England when the Speedwell began to leak again, forcing both ships to turn back to Plymouth. By then it was September and the Pilgrims decided to leave the Speedwell. Some of the Speedwell passengers transferred to the Mayflower and others decided to stay in England. On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower set sail for the Americas for the third time. About 130 people were crammed into the small Mayflower: about 100 were passengers, 70 adults and 30

children

.

The rest were the ship's crew. There were also animals on board the Mayflower: pigs, goats, chickens, and even some pet dogs. The ship was only 106 feet or 32 meters long and 25 feet or 7.5 meters wide, so the trip was very crowded. In bad weather, passengers had to stay below deck as the ship rocked and tilted with the waves. Many people were sick throughout the trip. Two people died and a baby was born while they were crossing the ocean. For those who were well, it must have been a long and boring trip. Some passengers read books or played cards, but when they arrived in the New World they must have been very happy that the trip was over.

Land was sighted on November 9, but there was a problem: they had landed too far north! The Mayflower's original destination was supposed to be Virginia, but storms and rough seas blew them off course, landing them in what is now Massachusetts. They attempted to sail south, but by then the winter weather had made the seas stormy, so they decided to stay, anchoring in Cape Cod Harbor on November 11. They looked for a good place to settle and in December they moved to a place they called Plymouth. The

first

winter in the New World was terrible for the passengers of the Mayflower.

They were not prepared for the cold weather. They did not have enough food. A terrible disease came. When the spring of 1621 came, only half the passengers and crew were still alive. In April, the Mayflower and her crew returned to England, leaving the Pilgrims to try to survive on their own. They all might have died that year if it weren't for the help they received from the Native Americans who lived in their area. One man in particular, named Squanto, taught the English colonists many things they needed to know. He taught them to grow corn, to fish, and to live in their new home.

He knew how to speak English and helped interpret for the settlers and the Wampanoag tribe so they could talk to each other. That fall there was a good harvest and plenty of food. The Pilgrims had a three day celebration and invited their new friends the Wampanoags to celebrate with them. This holiday is often called, 'The First Thanksgiving'. I hope you enjoyed learning the hi

story

of the Mayflower and the First Thanksgiving today. See you soon!