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A Thanksgiving Feast

Name: _______________________________

Directions: What do you know about the Thanksgiving holiday? At the Web site given, read about the history of Thanksgiving from 1621 to 2001. Then read each question below. Three possible answers appear below each question. Make an X on the line before each correct answer.

How many turkeys are in the treasure chest? _______

Web Resource: Thanksgiving
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/thanksg.htm

  1. Who issued the first proclamation making Thanksgiving a national holiday?
    _____ a. William Bradford
    _____ b. George Washington
    _____ c. Abraham Lincoln

  2. In 1621, the Pilgrims gathered for a feast, which has since come to be known as the "first Thanksgiving." Why was that feast held?
    _____ a. to celebrate the wedding of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins
    _____ b. to celebrate the completion of the colony's first church
    _____ c. to celebrate the Pilgrims' first harvest

  3. About how many people attended the first Thanksgiving?
    _____ a. 50
    _____ b. 140
    _____ c. 25

  4. Who issued the first proclamation making Thanksgiving an annual national holiday?
    _____ a. George Washington
    _____ b. Abraham Lincoln
    _____ c. James Madison

  5. On what day of each year is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
    _____ a. fourth Thursday in November
    _____ b. last Thursday in November
    _____ c. Thursday, November 22
If you're looking for more of a challenge, go to Caleb Johnson's Mayflower Web Page at http://members.aol.com/calebj/mayflower.html and click The "First" Thanksgiving. Read about foods available to the Pilgrims for their 1621 Thanksgiving, and then create a menu for the first Thanksgiving feast.

2001 by Education World. Education World grants users permission to reproduce this work sheet for educational purposes only.