Francisco Vasquez de Coronado celebrated the very first Thanksgiving in 1541 - in Texas! Who knew? John and I did! The facts say it was celebrated, along with other foods, with grapes and pecans. Though John and I believe the Palo Duro Canyon location (one of our favorite places in Texas) is correct, others say, no, grapes or pecans don't grow there, so it could not have been. They say maybe it was Blanco Canyon.
El Paso also lays claim to a first Thanksgiving in North America. They believe it was in 1589 by Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate and his expedition on April 30, 1598. They celebrated their survival of crossing the Mexican desert which very nearly ended in starvation and thirst by hundreds of men, women, children and animals.
Either way, these celebrations are evidence of Spain getting the first colonial foothold in North America, and it took the Alamo and the fight for Texas independence to move them south of the border. The Texas territory back then was a section of land that ran almost all the way to the Canadian border. Spain nearly split the continent in half ! Just think, we would have lost the "bread basket of the world" and lots of good buffalo/cattle country. (Note: there is no such thing as a "buffalo" native to North America - they are American bison.)
The TRADITION we think of every Fall, however, IS based on the Pilgrims in New England in 1623, with the first official one being established in Connecticut in 1639. By 1649 Thanksgivings were established as an annual celebration.
Most other states held their own Thanksgiving celebrations before a national day of observance was established by law in 1941.
Regardless of all the above, these days of recognition were unquestionably taking time out of the routine of living to thank God for His providence.
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