By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

One hundred and one men, women, and children sailed for sixty-six days across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620. Their first act at Plymouth (Cape Cod, Massachusetts today) when their feet hit the ground was to kneel in prayer.

After one winter in the New World, only fifty-three survived disease and starvation. They celebrated with thanksgiving in the fall of 1621, along with ninety Wampanoag Indians, including their leader and ally, Massasoit.