Understanding Thanksgiving
A UK Perspective
In the UK, Thanksgiving is a cultural curiosity. Most of us are familiar with it from American TV shows and movies, but we don’t celebrate it here. For us, the closest equivalent might be the Harvest Festival, though it’s more subdued and lacks the fanfare of its American counterpart.
For marketers, understanding Thanksgiving is essential, especially if you work with US-based colleagues, plan campaigns targeting American audiences, or simply want to broaden your knowledge. Even if you’re based in the US, you might pick up some fresh insights!
So, let’s dive into the origins, traditions, and surprising facts about Thanksgiving.
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What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is widely celebrated in the United States and Canada as a time to express gratitude. The story often shared in schools and pop culture centres around the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans sharing a meal in 1621.
But there’s much more to the story.
The Pilgrim Voyage
In 1620, a group of English Puritans, frustrated by religious persecution, set sail (initially from Southampton) aboard the Mayflower in search of freedom. These were no ordinary travellers; they left their lives in England, and later the Netherlands, for the unknown.
The journey was perilous. Around 100 passengers endured rough seas and disease. Their destination?
Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, winter was unforgiving, and nearly half of them perished before spring arrived.
This was no luxury cruise.
Imagine enduring months at sea with little food, constant cold, and sickness. For context, this was just 15 years after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, another pivotal moment in England’s religious turmoil under James I (and another episode of Marketing Made Clear). These Pilgrims weren’t just adventurers; they were fleeing a fractured England where religious lines were sharply drawn.
The Role of the Wampanoag and Squanto
The Pilgrims’ survival was, in large part, thanks to the Wampanoag people and a man named Squanto. Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe, had learned English after being captured and enslaved by an English sea captain years earlier. Returning to America, he became an indispensable ally, teaching the Pilgrims how to grow corn, fish, and forage.
Without this support, the colony likely wouldn’t have made it through their second winter. By autumn 1621, the Pilgrims were ready to celebrate their survival, and they invited their Wampanoag neighbours to join them for a feast of thanks.
The First Thanksgiving
The menu of that first feast was quite different from today’s turkey-stuffed tables. There were no pumpkin pies or cranberry sauce, but the meal likely included venison, corn, and fowl, possibly duck or turkey. It was a celebration of cultural exchange and survival, but it wasn’t yet the national holiday we recognise today.
A Turkey Tidbit
Turkeys are native to North America, and their domestication dates back over 2,000 years to pre-Aztec civilisations. When Spanish traders brought turkeys to Europe in the 1500s, they were named after the African guinea fowl, mistakenly linked to Turkey. Hence, the bird’s slightly misleading name!
A Personal Connection: The Mayflower and Jordans Village
Here’s where the history gets personal for me. My parents were married in Jordans, a small Quaker village in Buckinghamshire. Jordans is known for being the burial site of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, who also sought religious freedom for Quakers and other persecuted groups. The reoccurring theme of 17th Century Europe!
What makes Jordans even more fascinating is its connection to the Mayflower. The Mayflower Barn, where my parents exchanged vows, is said to be built from the timbers of the original ship after it was decommissioned in 1624.
Growing up, my Mum told me stories of American tourists flocking to Jordans, visiting the barn and William Penn’s grave. Apparently, locals loved giving them tours, with a healthy dose of “creative embellishment”!
Why Thanksgiving Matters to Marketers
Even if you’re in the UK, Thanksgiving can’t be ignored if your work intersects with the US market. It’s one of the biggest shopping events of the year, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday directly following the holiday. Understanding the historical and cultural significance of Thanksgiving can help you craft campaigns that resonate with American audiences, whether it’s about gratitude, community, or celebration.
For those of us who are wannabe historians, Thanksgiving offers another perspective on the age-old themes of religious freedom, cultural exchange, and survival against the odds, stories that continue to inspire today.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is more than a turkey dinner; it’s a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and culture. Whether you’re connecting with colleagues, targeting campaigns, or simply curious, understanding this holiday gives you an edge in navigating cross-cultural relationships.
Plus, who doesn’t love a good excuse to reflect on what we’re thankful for?
