Mayflower Day – September 16, 2022, history, significance, quotes, FAQS
Mayflower Day is celebrated on September 16 to reminisce about the history of the journey that set the precedent for the modern-day United States! To the uninitiated: The part of continental America that the travelers on the Mayflower ship settled in 1620 is the territory of America’s New England region states like Connecticut and Rhode Island.
HISTORY OF MAYFLOWER DAY
Mayflower Day is the day set aside to commemorate the history of the journey that saw travelers from England who were seeking refuge, sail through the ocean to create a new colony in the ‘Promised Land’ which is the territory of the modern-day United States.
Although the ship reached and eventually ducked at present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts, its original destination was a region in and around the present-day territory of the U.S. state of Virginia. According to historical accounts, rough sea conditions and storms prevented it from reaching its final destination in Virginia and subsequently dock at an area around present-day the Hudson River in what is now New York state.
The original 102 travelers on Mayflower were led by a group of English merchants known as the London Adventurers on one of whose journals most of the written account of the 66-day journey was obtained from.
Mayflower Day celebration serves as a remembrance of the history, travelers, and the vessel that has now become an important part of the creation of the modern-day United States.
One of the travelers on the Mayflower ship, William Bradford is considered to have helped establish the traditions of self-government that would later set the pattern for national political development in years to come with his introduction of franchise and town meetings as the 30-year governor of the Plymouth colony where the travelers of Mayflower settled and is also one of thirteen colonies that formed the present United States.
MAYFLOWER DAY TIMELINE
1624
Mayflower was Sold Off as Scrap
After its voyage back to England in 1621, no further record of the Mayflower was found until May 1624, when it was appraised to be sold off as scrap.
1622
Mayflower’s Captain Jones’ Dies
Christopher Jones, master, and quarter-owner of the Mayflower died and was buried in Surrey, England, on March 5, 1622.
September 1620
Mayflower Set Sail from Plymouth
The Mayflower traveled from Plymouth, England to America with 102 souls on board.
November 1620
Mayflower Reaches America
On November 21, 1620, Mayflower reached Cape Cod, Massachusetts after 10 weeks.
MAYFLOWER DAY ACTIVITIES
Read a history book or watch a documentary
There are several free documentaries about the Mayflower’s journey from England on the internet, Watch it. Or, go to your favorite library to learn from the interesting accounts of various authors.
Visit a museum
Plimoth Plantation Museum and Pilgrim Hall Museums in Massachusetts are two of the museums dedicated to housing the Mayflower ship’s relics and teaching visitors about the journey that led to the creation of one of the colonies that led to modern-day America. Visit them.
Talk about its importance on social media
Discussing the importance of the 66-day journey is another way to celebrate Mayflower Day. Use hashtag #MayflowerDay to post on social media.
5 THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT MAYFLOWER
It didn’t become a barn in England
The claim of the Mayflower ship ending up as a barn in Jordan England was an error originating from J. Rendel Harris’ 1920’s book titled “The Finding Of The Mayflower” that has been discredited as an overzealous imagination on the tercentenary anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage, combined with a tainted oral history.
There is a Mayflower Compact
Before disembarking the Mayflower, passengers of the ship wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that established a rudimentary government where each member would contribute to the safety and welfare of the planned settlement in modern-day Plymouth Massachusetts.
It was constructed in Harwich, England
The Mayflower was said to have been constructed in Harwich, England, shortly before English merchant Christopher Jones purchased the vessel in 1608.
It was at least 27 meters long
Marine archaeologists estimate that the Mayflower ship weighed about 180 tons and measured 90 feet (27 meters) long.
Mayflower has a replica
In 1957 the historic journey of the Mayflower was commemorated with a replica of the original ship built in England and sailed to Massachusetts in 53 days
WHY WE LOVE MAYFLOWER DAY
It reminds us of the history of the United States
Mayflower was the ship that brought the founding fathers of the New England colony that led to the modern-day United States. Mayflower Day reminds us of all the events before, during, and after the colony’s creation in 1620.
It is an opportunity to visit a history museum
Visiting a history museum is perhaps the best way to celebrate Mayflower Day. It is an avenue to experience the historic journey
It helps to motivate us for the future
The Mayflower ship’s history inspires us! The historical event of the ship’s journey and the events that succeeded it sometimes serve as motivation for what’s to come.
How to Celebrate Mayflower Day
Mayflower Day is a great day to commemorate families with children as well as school classes who are learning about the history of the United States. Try out some of these ideas for celebrating the day:
Host a Mayflower Day Party
People who enjoy American history might get excited about hosting a party or event in honor of Mayflower Day. Invite guests to dress up as pilgrims or some of the original settlers from the Mayflower. Make the room festive with a variety of New World themed posters or decorations.
Activities might include doing a little research ahead of time so guests can play games like the ones that may have been played by children on the ship or early in their adventures in the New World. Or perhaps one activity could be for participants to build their own ships from various supplies like Popsicle sticks, toothpicks or clay.
Learn More About the Mayflower
While some of the details about the Mayflower are a bit unclear, this is the day to glean all of the possible information about this ocean vessel and the people who were on it. Consider some of these interesting facts to get started:
- Most of the information about the Mayflower comes from William Bradford, a Puritan who was leaving England in search of more religious freedom. It is Bradford’s journal about the Atlantic crossing that much of the historical information comes from.
- The Mayflower was rather crowded, measuring only 100 feet, but still they could have used more people to do all of the work needed to keep the ship afloat during the crossing.
- At least ten United States Presidents can link their lineage to passengers from the Mayflower, including the two Bush presidents, Ford, Nixon, Franklin Roosevelt, Grant and others.
- Nearly half of the original passengers of the Mayflower died during the first winter in Plymouth Rock. Even with the advantages of discovering an abandoned village left by Native Americans, the settlers struggled to stay alive.
Visit a Museum with Mayflower Exhibits
A few different museums in the New England area of the US provide exhibits and displays featuring information about the Mayflower. Mayflower Day would be an ideal time to head to a museum and gain some interesting information about the travels and life for the Pilgrims and settlers during that time. Try out one of these museums:
- Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. A large collection of Pilgrim possessions, including William Bradford’s Bible, as well as opportunities to learn about life for the people on the Mayflower and the early time in Plymouth.
- Mayflower Museum in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom. This museum explores the seafaring history of the area as well as offering exhibits about the Mayflower ship from 1620, including a model ship.
- Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. A complex museum of living history, this plantation reveals first hand what life was like for the early settlers in the area, as well as giving insight into the indigenous people who have lived there for thousands of years.
- The Jabez Howland House in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. The only remaining house in Plymouth, Massachusetts where the original Pilgrims actually spent time, this two story wooden house is on the National Register of Historic Places. It also functions as a living history museum with costumed characters and period furnishings.
Look Up Descendants of the Mayflower
Some American people might be wondering if perhaps their ancestors were part of the original ship or crew on the Mayflower. The Mayflower Society is an organization devoted to helping people find out if their family history connects with this original voyage and the Pilgrims by tracing their lineage.
Some well-known descendants of the Mayflower, in addition to ten United States presidents, include Julia Child, Noah Webster, Norman Rockwell, Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Take a look at The Mayflower Society website to learn more about the unique and interesting people who are descended from these brave seafaring settlers.
MAYFLOWER DAY FAQS
How many times did the Mayflower sail to America?
Three times. The Mayflower tried to sail to America twice before its third and final try. It sailed back to port on one occasion to take on the humans and goods of a smaller ship accompanying it when it proved unseaworthy.
How many survived the Mayflower voyage?
Only 53 of Mayflower’s passengers and half the crew survived their first winter in New England. Women were particularly victims with just five of the original 19 women who boarded the ship surviving the first winter.
How long did the Mayflower voyage take?
66 days or 10 weeks was how long it took the Mayflower to journey from England to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
