“Turkey became the national dish that we eat on Thanksgiving through a decades and century-long process of the regional foods of New England consumed during traditional harvest festivals, making their way through the United States as Americans living on the east coast and in the U.S. south moved westward over time.”

According to the National Turkey Federation (an organization made up of humans, not turkeys), 88 percent of Americans eat turkey in one form or another on Thanksgiving. And the very reason that we eat them on this holiday is that they were abundant in the northeast during the first Thanksgiving celebrations years ago.

46 million turkeys 88% of Americans surveyed by the National Turkey Federation eat turkey on Thanksgiving. 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving, 22 million on Christmas and 19 million turkeys on Easter.

A roasted turkey remains America's essential Thanksgiving centerpiece, but the rest of our Thanksgiving table is still evolving. “Although the traditional parts are often there, people add dishes from their own background,” Albala says.

But according to the two only remaining historical records of the first Thanksgiving menu, that meal consisted of freshly killed deer, assorted wildfowl, cod, bass, and flint, and a native variety of corn harvested by the Native Americans, which was eaten as corn bread and porridge.

Top 10 Thanksgiving traditions in the US

• Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• Break the wishbone for good luck.
• Eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
• Take a nap.
• Share what you're most thankful for.
• Watch an American football game.
• Be grateful for Friendsgiving.
• Run a turkey trot.

The event that Americans commonly call the "first Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native American Wampanoag people and 53 survivors of the Mayflower (Pilgrims).

Thanksgiving is the second-most popular holiday in the U.S. after Christmas, with nearly 90 percent of Americans celebrating every year. This non-denominational celebration appeals to a broad swath of the population, maybe because there's no pressure to buy gifts.

In English, "turkey" probably got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships coming from the Turkish Levant via Spain. The British at the time therefore associated the bird with the country Turkey and the name prevailed.

So, to the question “What did the Pilgrims eat for Thanksgiving,” the answer is both surprising and expected. Turkey (probably), venison, seafood, and all of the vegetables that they had planted and harvested that year - onions, carrots, beans, spinach, lettuce, and other greens.

Most Traditional Thanksgiving Foods

• Turkey. Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without the turkey.
• Stuffing/Dressing. “Stuff” is another way to say “things.” But the verb to stuff means that you fill something until it's full.
• Mashed Potatoes.
• Gravy.
• Cranberry Sauce.
• Green Bean Casserole.
• Candied Yams.
• Pumpkin Pie.

The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanks in the early days of the American colonies. It originated from a mix of European and Native American traditions that celebrated communal harmony and a bountiful harvest.

There are many different ways that people celebrate Thanksgiving: from hearty feasts to sharing blessings; each culture has its own traditions. Though the traditions are different, the sentiment is the same – to spend quality time with friends and family, give thanks, and reflect on what's most important in life.