Forefathers' Day

Celebrated on 12/22/2026

Quick Fact

Forefathers' Day, first celebrated in 1769, honors the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock. It was originally observed on December 22, but after calendar reforms it shifted to December 21. The holiday includes a traditional meal of succotash and cornmeal mush.

Origins and Establishment of Forefathers' Day

Forefathers' Day was first celebrated on December 22, 1769, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by the Old Colony Club. The club, founded by descendants of the Pilgrims, organized the event to commemorate the landing of the Mayflower Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock on December 21, 1620 (Julian calendar). The celebration included a parade, a sermon, and a feast featuring traditional foods like venison, cod, and succotash.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over time, the date shifted due to calendar reforms: the British Empire adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, adding 11 days, which moved the anniversary to December 21. In the 19th century, the holiday gained popularity across New England, with schools and civic groups hosting reenactments and educational programs. Today, Forefathers' Day is observed primarily in Plymouth with a formal ceremony at the Pilgrim Hall Museum, a wreath-laying at the National Monument to the Forefathers, and community gatherings. It remains a local holiday rather than a national one.

Facts & General Observations

• The National Monument to the Forefathers, erected in 1889 in Plymouth, stands 81 feet tall and features a statue of Faith holding a Bible.
• Forefathers' Day is sometimes confused with Thanksgiving, but it predates the modern Thanksgiving holiday by over a century.
• The holiday was historically celebrated with a "Forefathers' Day Dinner" featuring Indian pudding, a dessert made from cornmeal and molasses.

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