Pilgrims facts for kids
A pilgrimage is a special journey, often made for religious reasons.
The Pilgrims were a group of early settlers who came to America in 1620. They founded the Plymouth Colony, which is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. These brave people called themselves Separatists. Most of them were either Methodists or Puritans. They left England years earlier to live in Leiden, a city in the Netherlands. They moved because they had different religious beliefs than the Church of England.
In 1620, the Pilgrims decided to leave Leiden and sail to America. They hoped to find a place where they could practice their religion freely. They traveled on a ship called the Mayflower. There were 102 people on board, including both Pilgrims and crew members. The original settlers of Plymouth Colony are often called the Pilgrim Fathers, or simply the Pilgrims.
The Mayflower Voyage
The Mayflower was originally a cargo ship, not built for passengers. This made the journey across the Atlantic Ocean very uncomfortable. The ship was small and crowded. Many Pilgrims became sick during the long trip or soon after they arrived. Despite the tough conditions, one child was born on the Mayflower during the voyage.
Life in the New World
When the Pilgrims arrived in America, they faced many challenges. They worked hard to build homes and start farms in the new land. They received important help from the Wampanoag people, a Native American tribe. The Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn, hunt animals, and catch fish. These skills were vital for survival in their new home.
The First Thanksgiving
After their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a big feast. This celebration lasted for three days. It is often remembered as the first Thanksgiving. Foods commonly eaten by the Pilgrims included bread, grains, and corn. They also ate venison (deer meat), turkey, mussels, lobster, eel, and clams.
Images for kids
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Five Members of the Utrecht Brotherhood of Jerusalem Pilgrims
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Pilgrim by Gheorghe Tattarescu
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Tibetan pilgrim, Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Modern Orthodox pilgrim in Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine
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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, like many fans of Elvis Presley, visited Graceland.
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Pope John Paul II was known as the "pilgrim pope" for his travels.
See also
In Spanish: Peregrinación para niños
