William Bradford: The First Thanksgiving (S01E02)

William Bradford escaped with the Pilgrims to America, only to face the harsh realities of hunger, illness, and loss in their pursuit of religious liberty. As a mediator, he built strong relationships with the Indigenous people, who guided the struggling settlers in their fight for survival. By the end of that challenging year, Bradford was elected Governor of the colony. Following their first successful harvest, he organized a gathering for the Pilgrims and their Native American allies to celebrate and give thanks to God. In this way, William Bradford earned the title of the Father of Thanksgiving Day.