« Why is Darwin always pictured as old? | Main | A review to make you change your mind »
November 26, 2008
Myths of history?
A French Connection is a myth-busting piece in today's NY Times :
To commemorate the arrival of the first pilgrims to America’s shores, a June date would be far more appropriate, accompanied perhaps by coq au vin and a nice Bordeaux. After all, the first European arrivals seeking religious freedom in the “New World” were French. And they beat their English counterparts by 50 years. That French settlers bested the Mayflower Pilgrims may surprise Americans raised on our foundational myth, but the record is clear.
It certainly is an interesting fact, but Roanoke was earlier than the Pilgrims as well. I thought the reason we celebrate the Pilgrims was because unlike the French Huguenots or the people of Roanoke, the Pilgrims were successful. They have living decedents today and their settlement survived long enough to become part of the colony of Massachusetts and become a founding state. The author got so excited about the exciting format of presenting his essay a a myth-buster that it blinded him to the real reasons why we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Posted by OneEyedMan at November 26, 2008 7:36 AM
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)