History of Thanksgiving Day: Turkey Was Not Part of The First Celebration

The earliest record of harvest thanksgiving feast is in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus. The Israelites were to hold the Feast of the Tabernacles on the 15th day of the 7th month, after gathering the crops. The people were to live in booths made of branches to remind them of the days they lived in tents in the wilderness. This celebration lasted eight days, and the people were instructed to praise God during this time.