We all have that relative that tells us there was actually no green bean casserole at the first Thanksgiving. Yeah, we know, Grandma! But how much do we really know about that first feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians? 

Well, a lot. But the story most of us learned in school is completely wrong. Author David J. Silverman, (This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving) joins us to carve up the myths about Turkey Day and serve a nice helping of truth. 

In this episode, Bob and David explore the origins of Thanksgiving, from the Wampanoag people’s strategic decision to ally with the English, to Abraham Lincoln’s role in turning that footnoted feast into a national holiday. 

Tell your family to turn down the yacht rock and play this episode of American History Hotline as you avoid talking about politics and stir the gravy. 

GUEST: David J. Silverman, author of This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. He has a new book coming out in February of 2026 titled, The Chosen and the Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States

 

We all have that relative that tells us there was actually no green bean casserole at the first Thanksgiving. Yeah, we know, Grandma! But how much do we really know about that first feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians?&nbsp;
Well, a lot. But the story most of us learned in school is completely wrong. Author&nbsp;David J. Silverman, (This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving) joins us to carve up the myths about Turkey Day and serve a nice helping of truth.&nbsp;
In this episode, Bob and David explore the origins of Thanksgiving, from the Wampanoag people&rsquo;s strategic decision to ally with the English, to Abraham Lincoln&rsquo;s role in turning that footnoted feast into a national holiday.&nbsp;
Tell your family to turn down the yacht rock and play this episode of American History Hotline as you avoid talking about politics and stir the gravy.&nbsp;
GUEST: David J. Silverman, author of <a href="https://garamondagency.com/work/no-reason-to-give-thanks/">T</a><a href="https://garamondagency.com/work/no-reason-to-give-thanks/">his Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving</a>. He has a new book coming out in February of 2026 titled, <a href="https://garamondagency.com/work/4740/">The Chosen and the Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States</a>
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Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history &mdash; from the Revolutionary War to rock &amp; roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

American History Hotline

American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies?! Historian David J. Silverman Separates Myth from Truth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44efa130-673d-4b86-b140-b3910114d160/transcript

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