Peak America: Courage, Providence, and the True Story of the First Thanksgiving

In this special Thanksgiving episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson sits down with Col. John Eidsmoe—author, historian, and chairman of the Plymouth Rock Foundation—to explore the true, awe-inspiring story behind Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower, and the first Thanksgiving. More than a history lesson, this conversation uncovers the spiritual DNA of America: courage, sacrifice, self-government, and unshakeable faith in God’s providence.

Dawson opens the episode by connecting the Pilgrims’ story to his own family lineage, tracing his ancestry back to the Wampanoag chief who stood alongside the Pilgrims at that first Thanksgiving. Eidsmoe, joining the show dressed in full Pilgrim attire, begins unpacking the Pilgrims’ rich written history—one of the most well-documented origins of any nation besides ancient Israel. He walks listeners through their persecution in England, their turbulent stay in the Netherlands, and the bold decision to cross the Atlantic for the sake of religious freedom and the advancement of the Christian faith.

Together, Dawson and Eidsmoe trace the harrowing voyage of the Mayflower, the drafting of the Mayflower Compact, and the brutal first winter in which half the colony perished. Eidsmoe explains how God’s providence appeared repeatedly—from Squanto’s arrival, to the peaceful treaty with Massasoit, to the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest and their now-legendary feast of thanksgiving to God.

The episode also delves into the Pilgrims’ early flirtation with socialism—forced upon them by investors—and how Gov. William Bradford recorded its utter failure and the colony’s explosive success once private property and individual incentive were restored. Eidsmoe even shares the remarkable story of how Bradford’s long-lost manuscript, History of Plymouth Plantation, was miraculously recovered centuries later.

This Thanksgiving, Dawson invites listeners to look beyond food, family, and football and remember the faith, fortitude, and God-honoring vision of the men and women who risked everything to establish a Christian foothold in the New World. This powerful episode is a call to gratitude, to remembrance, and to reclaiming America’s true heritage.