Landsat 8 Image of the Massachusetts Coast

Landsat 8 image of the Massachusetts Coast, showing Boston, Plymouth, and Cape Cod.

Published on social media on November 28, 2024, for Thanksgiving.

Mosaic of two different Landsat 8 images:
Image dates: November 8 and 17, 2024
Path 11, Row 31 and Path 12, Row 31 

The origins of Thanksgiving are often traced back to the 1621 autumn harvest feast shared by the English colonists and the Wampanoag people, a group of Indigenous tribes who inhabited, and continue to inhabit, parts of present-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The event, held on the land now known as Plymouth, was a celebration of the first successful harvest after a harsh New England winter. The Wampanoag people played a crucial role in the Pilgrims’ survival by sharing their knowledge of the land and resources. Throughout the centuries, Thanksgiving has become a cornerstone of American tradition and evolved into a day of celebration, joy, and gratitude. However, it is also an important time to honor and recognize the Indigenous lands on which we live and the people who call these lands home.