The Pilgrims were a group of English Puritans who sailed to America in search of religious freedom. They arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 and faced a difficult first winter. They were helped by the Wampanoag people, who taught them how to grow corn and other crops. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag celebrated a harvest festival that lasted for three days. This is considered to be the first Thanksgiving celebration. Today, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a time for families and friends to come together and give thanks for all the good things in their lives.