As elementary children admire heroes, Montessori uses this to inspire leadership, cooperation, and appreciation for both known and unknown heroes.

History of the Event When the early colonists (often referred to as ‘pilgrims’) landed in North America, they built their village in close proximity to a group of people called the Wampanoag. While the two groups had made contact with one another, they weren’t really considered friends. In fact, the colonists stole corn and other items they found that was assumed to be harvested by the native people. Life in a new land was very hard on the colonists. Many of their people died and everyday life was a struggle. To celebrate the passing of their first year, the people decided to hold a celebration which would include food and games. They discharged weapons as either a part of their celebration or perhaps while hunting, and the sound of the guns alarmed the nearby Wampanoag people. Sachem Massasoit and a group of 90 men traveled to investigate the situation and soon realized that there was no threat. This small group of Wampanoag men joined in the celebration which lasted three days. Primary source documents suggest that the native men hunted several deer and perhaps some other game to contribute. Many of the foods we consider traditional were not, in fact, enjoyed during that celebratory feast. It is important to note that while this one particular Thanksgiving celebration is the root of our historical holiday, the Wampanoag people gave thanks via formal celebrations several times each year for thousands of years prior. These traditions were a way of acknowledging the earth, as well as their people’s connections to the earth and to each other. Today’s modern Thanksgiving is a day of mourning for many native people, as they remember their generosity toward the settlers was met with theft of land, violence, and destruction of their homes and people just a generation later. Wampanoag Thanksgivings Wampanoag people gave thanks each day and held many special celebrations throughout the year. Their new year coincides with planting crops in the spring. The beginning of summer is marked with a strawberry celebration. Cranberry Day was (and still is) celebrated in the fall and a winter celebration was a time to share food and supplies with those who did not have as much. To this day, native children are given the day off from school to celebrate Cranberry Day, an important cultural tradition. The video below shows elder Gladys Widdiss recounting her experiences with Cranberry Day when she was young, and also shows Wampanoag educator Annawan Weeden teaching a group of teachers how to play a traditional game called hubbub.