Why did the Pilgrims celebrate Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving meal was held by the Pilgrims and the neighboring Wampanoag tribe at Plymouth to celebrate the Pilgrims' first successful harvest. The Pilgrims also had a Thanksgiving prayer period prior to this, but it was not accompanied by a meal.

The celebration that has led to the annual tradition of Thanksgiving in the United States likely featured some sort of wild game, possibly turkey, ducks, swan or geese. Written records suggest that the Wampanoag brought five deer to the feast. Corn was likely served as cornmeal or porridge along with fruits common to the area, such as cranberries and blueberries.