The Charlie Kirk Show REWIND: Charlie Discusses The Origins of Thanksgiving
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Nov 27, 2025 In this engaging discussion, historian Bill Federer, known for his insights on American history and religion, reveals the rich origins of Thanksgiving. He connects the holiday to Pilgrim beliefs and the covenant model that influenced American self-government. Federer delves into the Pilgrims' shift from communal to private property and the vital role of Squanto in their survival. The conversation highlights the importance of faith, charity, and resilience in building a nation, making a compelling case for gratitude and historical awareness.
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Roots Of American Self-Government
- The Pilgrims and Puritans drew self-government ideas from the Hebrew Republic and Reformation-era Christian Hebraists.
- This influence helped create a bottom-up American political model where citizens share governance rather than submit to a monarch.
Mayflower Compact Born At Sea
- The Pilgrims fled religious persecution, sailed on a perilous journey, and formed the Mayflower Compact while still at sea.
- They covenantally created a civil body politic that pledged to enact just and equal laws in the presence of God.
Communal Property Failed Then Land Plots Worked
- The Pilgrims first tried communal property under company bylaws and nearly starved.
- William Bradford records that assigning each family its own plot dramatically increased productivity and led to abundant harvests.
