Image: cstar55/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Our modern concept of Thanksgiving is one of excess and gluttony, filled with massive piles of turkey, potatoes, and images of Pilgrims with gaudy hat buckles. But this holiday actually started out very differently. How much do you know about Thanksgiving history myths?
The year was 1621. What did the New World settlers call themselves at the time of the first Thanksgiving?
saints
pilgrims
kingslayers
Which of the following foods was NOT served at the first Thanksgiving?
cranberries
sweet corn
shellfish
At the first Thanksgiving, the settlers feasted on which animal product?
whale blubber
deer meat
turkey gizzards
Advertisement
In the 19th century, Thanksgiving was made an official holiday in large part to celebrate what aspect of the country's history?
the success of the first permanent colony
the election of President Andrew Jackson
Union Civil War victories
What's the reason you feel so sleepy after a big Thanksgiving meal?
Your brain's serotonin levels plummet.
You simply ate too much!
It's the tryptophan in the turkey.
In the 17th century, what was the idea behind Thanksgiving?
It recognized the King of England as a great leader.
It was meant to celebrate the harvest.
It was to celebrate the survival of the first settlers.
Advertisement
OK, but what was the atmosphere of that first Thanksgiving in the New World?
a bit wild and raucous
solemn and prayerful
cozy contentment
Pumpkin pie was not on the menu at the first Thanksgiving. Why not?
No one made pies in the 17th century.
Pumpkins were considered blasphemous vegetables.
There was no butter for crust.
Advertisement
