This one might upheave everything you thought you knew about Plymouth Rock and the origin of Thanksgiving. And yet, buckle up! Thanks to information provided by the National Parks Service, it’s been discovered that Florida was the home of the very first Mass of Thanksgiving in America. In St. Augustine, 56 years before the Puritan Pilgrim Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock, another Thanksgiving occurred just 300 yards north of Castillo de San Marcos. Take a look at how the first Thanksgiving took place in Florida, contrary to popular belief.

We’ve all been told the same story about how Thanksgiving came to be - but never once have we been told it involves the state of Florida.
Wikipedia The Landing of the Pilgrims by Henry A. Bacon
As the story goes, Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock (Massachusetts) and ended up having a welcome feast with the Wampanoag tribe that already existed in what is now known as America.
Flickr happyskrappy
But, many historians have discovered that this story isn’t the story of the first Thanksgiving. In fact, there was a Mass of Thanksgiving that took place in St. Augustine over 50 years before.
Flickr Warren LeMay

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On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 Spanish settlers founded the city of St. Augustine, Florida. Quickly after they came ashore, the landing group celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving.
Wikipedia Georgetown University Art Collection
Menéndez prepared a meal consisting of what was on board the five ships, likely including salted pork and garbanzo beans, hard sea biscuits, and red wine.
Wikipedia Daderot
The Spanish settlers incited the nearby Seloy (Timicuan) tribe to participate in the meal, which, if they contributed to the food, was likely to involve venison, turkey, gopher tortoise, mullet, maize, beans, squash, or more.
It was said this was the first community act of thanksgiving in the first European settlement in North America, just 300 yards from Castillo de San Marcos.
Flicrk lagolgy
This event of thanksgiving is commemorated today with a 250-foot cross, standing at the original landing site at what is now the Mission of Nombre de Dios.
Google Reviews Nancy Marshall

Did you know the first Thanksgiving took place in Florida? What an interesting piece of history! Share your thoughts with us in the comments section. Or, if you need another reason to visit the area, take a look at why St. Augustine is one of the most historic towns in America.

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Mission Nombre de Dios Museum, 89 A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA