First Thanksgiving Observance in Virginia
December 4th, 1619
December 4th, 1619

How Long Ago?
405 years, 3 months, 11 days ago
Location
Berkeley Hundred, Virginia, USA
Category
Cultural Traditions
People
- Captain John Woodlief
Links & References
Tags
First Thanksgiving Observance in Virginia
Thirty-eight colonists arrived at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia, and established a charter that specified the day should be observed as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God. This proclamation marked an early expression of gratitude in the New World, reflecting the settlers' reliance on divine providence for their survival and success in the new land. The event laid the groundwork for future Thanksgiving celebrations in America.
First Thanksgiving observance in America.
Led by Captain John Woodlief.
Proclaimed as a religious day of gratitude.
Influenced future Thanksgiving celebrations.
What Happened?
Thirty-eight colonists, led by Captain John Woodlief, arrived at Berkeley Hundred in Virginia, where they received a charter that declared their intentions for the area. This charter not only assigned guidelines for governance but also stipulated that the day of their arrival be observed as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God. This early observance of thanksgiving sought to recognize and celebrate divine assistance in the colonists' arduous journey across the Atlantic and their subsequent settlement efforts in the New World. The event took place in an era when many settlers faced overwhelming challenges, including harsh conditions and the threat of conflict with indigenous populations. Observing a day of thanksgiving demonstrated the settlers' deep religious convictions and the integral role faith played in their lives and community-building efforts.
This gathering at Berkeley Hundred can thus be recognized as a critical moment in establishing a tradition that would evolve into the more recognized Thanksgiving celebrations that would follow centuries later. The colonists' commitment to acknowledging a higher power for their achievements and sustenance was emblematic of the broader Puritan values that would influence the social fabric of early American society. Moreover, this observance was not merely a reflection of individual gratitude but rather a collective cultural moment that sought to reinforce community identity and unity among the settlers.
Why Does it Matter?
This observance at Berkeley Hundred is interesting because it represents an early example of the Thanksgiving tradition in America, predating the more formalized Thanksgiving established in the 19th century. The commitment to thanksgiving underscores the significant role of religion in colonial life and set a precedent for how gratitude would be expressed in future communities across the nation. The event also illustrates early interactions between colonists and their environment, highlighting the settlers' reliance on divine providence in an unprecedented landscape.
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