Plymouth, Massachusetts up trading posts for furs. Chief Massasoit later formed a Peace Treaty with the Pilgrims. Upon growing a plentiful harvest in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims gathered with Squanto, Samoset, Massasoit, and ninety other Wampanoag men in a celebration of thanksgiving to God for their plentiful harvest. This celebration is known today as the First Thanksgiving, and is still commemorated annually in downtown Plymouth with a parade and a reenactment. Since 1941, Thanksgiving has been observed as a federal holiday in the United States. Plymouth served as the capital of Plymouth Colony (which consisted of modern-day Barnstable, Bristol, and
History of St. Augustine, Florida History of St. Augustine, Florida The history of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in the United States, began in 1565 when it was founded by the Spanish admiral, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. The Spanish Crown issued an "asiento" to Menéndez, signed by King Philip II on March 20, 1565, granting him various titles, including that of "adelantado" of Florida, and expansive privileges to exploit the lands in the vast territory of Spanish Florida, called "La Florida" by the Spaniards. This contract directed Menéndez to explore the region's Atlantic coast and report on its features,