Nov

19

Nation’s First Thanksgiving Featured Sunshine, Palm Trees and Conquistadors Spanish Explorers Celebrated in Florida 56 Years Prior to Pilgrims

November 19, 2006 | Leave a Comment

PR Newswire Nov. 18, 2004

  History books have long portrayed images of the nation’s (U.S.A.) first Thanksgiving in 
Plymouth, Mass. with Pilgrims, dressed in black and white, sharing turkey with
Native Americans. This Thanksgiving many will see things differently thanks to the
writtings of one historian.  His research reveals that St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest
city, was the site of the nation’s first Thanksgiving — complete with Spanish
Conquistadors, palm trees and bright Florida sunshine.
    The nation’s first Thanksgiving took place in 1565 when the Spanish
founder of St. Augustine, Pedro Menindez de Avilis, and 800 Spanish settlers
shared in a Mass of Thanksgiving.  Following the religious service, Menindez
ordered a communal meal to be shared by the Spaniards and the Seloy natives
who occupied the landing site.  This according to Michael Gannon, an expert on
Florida colonial history and former professor of history at the Univeristy of Florida.

    Professor Gannon, in his book, “The Cross in the Sand,” states the
nation’s first Thanksgiving menu would most likely have consisted of what
Spanish settlers had with them during their voyage.  In this case, cocido — a
stew made from salted pork and garbanzo beans laced with garlic seasoning,
hard sea biscuits and red wine.  If the Seloy natives contributed to the meal,
the table would have seen wild turkey, venison, gopher-tortoise, mullet, corn,
beans and squash.
    “St. Augustine has long been known as the nation’s oldest city, full of
colorful history including Ponce De Lesn’s legendary Fountain of Youth.  New
chapters are always being revealed in our rich history.  St. Augustine’s role
in the nation’s first Thanksgiving is just one of the most recent examples,”
shares Glenn Hastings, Executive Director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra &
the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.  “St. Augustine is the
home of numerous historic sites, national monuments, brick-lined streets and
blocks of 16th-Century buildings.”


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