The first Thanksgiving occurred when Captain John Woodlief led the newly arrived English colonists to a grassy slope along the James River and instructed them to drop to their knees and pray in thanks for a safe arrival to the New World.
On this day, Dec. 4, 1619, these 38 men from Berkeley Parish in England were given the instructions:
‘Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrivall at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God.’
This saying is now carved on a brick gazebo, where it is believed that Woodlief knelt down beside the James River.
Thanksgiving to Almighty God. A happy and safe Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones this year.