When we think of early Thanksgiving traditions, we imagine Pilgrims in a chilly autumnal setting in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But did you know that the first Thanksgiving may have actually taken place in Florida?
A Spanish admiral named Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his captain, Father Francisco Lopez, along with his men arrived in Florida in 1565. Father Lopez claimed the land for his men, and they held a mass for good fortune in their new settlement, reports the History Channel. As the native Timucua tribe looked on, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés invited them to take part in their festivities following the service.
Could this have been the true origin of Thanksgiving as we know it? Did this beloved American tradition begin in the tropic region of Florida?
Whether or not this was the first Thanksgiving dinner, the traditions live on in annual Thanksgiving Day feasts here in Florida and across the rest of the country to this day.
Many people gather in their beautiful Palm Beach County homes with their family and friends to give thanks and enjoy their surroundings each year. Palm Beach County offers a veritable bounty of great, comfortable homes, with plenty of different options on the market that offer the amount of space you need to accommodate your whole family’s celebrations. The region is also a great home year-round, with temperate weather in every season, making it a popular destination for young families to retirees and everyone in between.
Give thanks with your family next year at the table in your new home in Palm Beach County and participate in what may be one of Florida’s oldest traditions. At Leibowitz Realty Group, we specialize in luxury real estate in West Palm Beach County, and we are happy to help you find the new home that’s perfect for you. To find out more or to sit down with one of our Realtors to start your new home search, give us a call today at 561-262-0721 or 261-262-0722.