Giving Thanks In 2015 It’s now been almost 400 years since a group of weary Pilgrims stepped off the Mayflower in Plymouth, Massachusetts seeking the opportunity to worship God as they saw fit. The first year almost killed them, but by hard work and the grace of God, they managed to not only survive, but to actually prosper. To them it seemed fitting and proper that they would set aside a special day at the end of their harvest season to give thanks to God for their survival and their bounty.