Thanksgiving Quote by Christopher L. Hayes
““The Thanksgiving tradition we celebrate today with a feast actually commemorates a betrayal that happened two years after the first arrival of the colonists. In 1622, Myles Standish, an English military officer working for the Pilgrims, heard that Indians planned to raid the newly established white settlement of Wessagussett. Standish organized a militia to repel the attack, but no Indians appeared. So he decided to preemptively attack by luring two Indians to Wessagussett under the pretense of sharing a meal. When they entered the house, Standish and his men killed them.””
About This Quote
Source Historical account: Early colonial New England, 1622, as described by Christopher L. Hayes
The Thanksgiving narrative masks a violent preemptive raid by Myles Standish, turning a supposed feast into a betrayal and murder of Native Americans.
In simple terms: Thanksgiving’s origin includes a deceptive massacre.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront hidden histories.
Themes
history
colonialism
betrayal
memory
indigenous rights
Mood
reflective
somber
critical
Type
historical
educational
provocative
When to use this quote
- educational curricula
- public commemorations
- museum exhibits
- community dialogues
Key Concepts
colonial violence
mythmaking
historical revisionism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this revelation change your view of Thanksgiving?
- What responsibilities do we have to honor suppressed histories?
A Different Perspective
The story challenges the glorified myth, but may lack broader context of ongoing conflict.
![“They [in the northern country] had, as well, invented a holiday called Thanksgiving, which Ruby had only recently got news of, but from what she gathered its features to be, she found it to contain the mark of a tainted culture. To be thankful on just the one day.” quote by Charles Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bb/charles-frazier-3165_holiday_they-in-the-northern-country-had-as-well_14504.jpg)
