Thanksgiving: Then and NowThanksgiving is a holiday that began hundreds of years ago. It was a celebration of many different things. One of the most important reasons for this celebration was gratitude to the many pilgrims who survived the first year of their new life in America. Today, however, Thanksgiving seems to have a very different meaning for people. Their main goal is not to be grateful for what they have, but to want more. In September of the year 1620, a group of 102 enthusiastic individuals boarded the Mayflower to begin a chapter in their lives. The choice to board the ship brought with it a lot of uncertainty. People who decided to make the journey to the New World were called pilgrims. The pilgrims' purpose in traveling to the New World was to be able to practice their religion as they saw fit. The Pilgrims did not have this freedom in their home country because the king had the power to tell people how they were supposed to practice their religion (Thanksgiving). The journey to America was long and uncomfortable for the passengers of the Mayflower. However, they finally reached the lands that would become their new home just months after leaving England. Since it was winter when the Pilgrims anchored in Plymouth, Massachusetts, many passengers decided to stay on the ship until spring. The winter proved very trying for the pilgrims. Many of them contracted diseases and did not survive. In fact, only about half of the people who agreed to make the trip survived the first winter in Plymouth (Thanksgiving). The Pilgrims worked hard to establish a new home in Plymouth. Local Indian tribes became loyal to the Pilgrims. One Indian in particular, Squanto, who knew English......middle of paper......multiple catalogs and advertisements to find the stores where they could get the best deals. Next, they create a map of the stores they will shop at. Often on Thanksgiving evening, people will wait in line at a store, in order to be one of the first shoppers allowed into the store. As has been demonstrated, Thanksgiving has certain qualities that have remained the same over the years. years. However, much of the Thanksgiving celebration has changed. One thing that hasn't changed is that families still typically get together and share a nice meal. Today, however, Thanksgiving seems to have a very different meaning for people. Americans are more focused on television programs and buying more material things than on gratitude for the blessings given to them, like the pilgrims were grateful for their success in the New World..