The History of Thanksgiving

Did you know that Thanksgiving is a holiday that owes its origins to our neighbors in Peru?

Aymara Indians living in the Andean Mountains of South America cultivated more than two hundred varieties of the potato. Every year they would hold the "Celebration de las Papas," where they would thank the Gods for providing an abundant crop. A small bird, often a turkey, was also sacrificed, and eaten with the potatoes.

When the Priests began imposing a tax on feast potatoes, clever peasants substituted the plentiful turkey as the main dish, relegating the potato to "side dish" status. The greedy Priests' plan backfired. Although many people still looked forward to the potatoes, most found they enjoyed the turkey just as well. Some people, of course, enjoyed equal amounts of turkey and side dishes. A few ate nothing but brussel sprouts. They were ostracized. When the Spanish Conquistadors brought the potato back to Europe (where it was grown in Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland), the "Celebration de las Papas" became anglicized to "Thanks for the Delicious Turkey and Side Dishes Day." Later, when the Pilgrims landed in the New World (America) they shortened it to "Thanksgiving," because they were just too busy. And that's how Thanksgiving became a holiday!