[Passage2]

TheWampanoag Indians were called "People of the First Light"because in English, Wampanoag means "land where the sun comes upfirst." The tribe was located from Canada to South Carolina andwest to Wisconsin. Theyhad lived there thousands of years before thePilgrims arrived in Plymouth. When the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth,they landed in the midst of Wampanoag territory and spread theirsettlements throughout the area.

In 1621, the Wampanoags were justgetting to know the Pilgrims. The English were still learning how tocope with the weather and harsh living conditions. The native peopleshowed the Pilgrims how to gather food, how to fish and hunt. Theytold them what was good to eat and what not to eat. 

        Whenthe Wampanoags helped the Pilgrims bring in their first crop in thenew world, there was a great feast during that harvest time.According to the Pilgrims, about 90 Wampanoags crashed the party andbrought with them all sorts of delicacies.They brought deer meat, wild turkey, rabbit, lobster, clams, mussels,potatoes, sea bass, bluefish and many other delicious foods.Wampanogas also brought corn, beans, and squash to the feast, andeven showed the Pilgrims how to cook the food. The Pilgrims were veryappreciative of the gifts, and the 90 Wampanoags who crashed theparty had a wonderful time.

     Whenthe first Thanksgiving was celebrated, all of the bounties of theland and the sea were made a part of this celebration. The Pilgrimsgot on their knees, closed their eyes and thanked their God in theirown way. They remained silent for some time then opened theBible and saidgrace. The Wampanoagsthanked the Great Spirit for the all of the bounties and blessings offood and drink that he bestowed upon them.

     This became an annual traditionthat Americans call Thanksgiving Day.