Stories of the first Thanksgiving in the New World are the stuff of legend.
School children generally learn that the first feast was a three-day harvest festival held in 1621 between Plymouth’s surviving Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Virginians challenge that version, laying claim to a religious Thanksgiving observance in 1619 by settlers from Bristol, England, to thank God for seeing them safely to the shore of the Berkeley Plantation some 20 miles west of Williamsburg.
With all this talk of beginnings, EdSource decided to explore some firsts in education in the New World. Our research uncovered some fascinating – at least we think so – bits about the early days of formal education, which we’ve turned into this holiday quiz we hope will both amuse and enlighten.
Happy holidays.
Staff writers Lillian Mongeau and Michelle Maitre contributed to research. Designed by John C. Osborn.
To get more reports like this one, click here to sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email on latest developments in education.