According to the school-friendly version of the first Thanksgiving, the friendly 'Indians', particularly the noble Squanto, taught the struggling Pilgrims how to grow food and adapt to the land during their torrid first winter in the New World. The following year, in 1621, the settlers returned the favour by inviting the local tribe to share in their bountiful second harvest. Today, Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness when families gather to share a hearty meal.

Thanksgiving parades pictured down the decades

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