- The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
- This official [Thanksgiving] story is nothing like what really happened.
Richard J. Maybury goes on to say that the original economic organization of the colony was based on socialism which led to most of the colonists' problems. This changed when in 1623 socialism was replaced with a free market, which ended the famines.
If you have time read the full story (just click on the title). It's a short one.
