Thanksgiving is here! It’s a wonderful time of year when many of us are visiting with loved ones, enjoying a fabulous meal, and partaking in all the favorite Texas Thanksgiving traditions that we all enjoy. But did you know that Texas and Thanksgiving go back — way back? In fact, while the Thanksgiving story that we’re all familiar with is that the first was celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, the first Thanksgiving may have actually been celebrated in Texas in 1598 by Spanish explorer Juan de Onate and his expedition.
Thanksgiving Started In Texas?
Some historians with the Legislative Reference Library of Texas believe that the first Thanksgiving in the United States happened near El Paso, Texas in 1598 — 23 years before the Pilgrims had their dinner at Plymouth Rock.
The Texas Almanac had a fascinating piece that’s worth a read, but the short story is that in the summer of 1597, a Spanish explorer named Juan de Oñate began laying the groundwork for an expedition in March 1598. The 50-day journey was an arduous march across the Chihuahuan Desert where weather, terrain, and dwindling supplies challenged the Spaniards every step of the way.
Finally, when the party reached the Rio Grande, they found reprieve and were able to recuperate. After ten days of rest, Oñate called for a day of Thanksgiving to celebrate their survival, which included a feast of local fish and game. They celebrated and gave thanks for both the progress they made and the anticipation of their path ahead — just like many of us do to this day.
At Energy Texas, we’re proud to champion the same values our ancestors held dear – an unwavering love of personal freedom and the courage to challenge the status quo and make new discoveries. From all of us here at Energy Texas, Happy Thanksgiving y’all!
PS, Don’t Forget Small Business Saturday!
Hey, one last thing here before you head out to your Thanksgiving dinner. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are moments away, and they’re the biggest shopping days of the year. Make sure that when you’re out and about picking up gifts and goodies for others or yourself, that you don’t forget about the small businesses in your community.
In fact, November 26 — the Saturday sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday. Shopping locally is a big deal, especially in smaller communities. The money stays local and supports the people and businesses. As a small business ourselves, we understand the importance of this day. Energy Texas was created by industry veterans that wanted to disrupt the market. Our CEO, Robbie Wright, felt Texas deserved the best customer service offered and competitive pricing that fit everybody’s needs and budget. We wouldn’t have made it this far without y’all’s support. Thank you.
Small Business Saturday is both a day and an idea that’s near and dear to us. That’s why we want to encourage you to support the mainstreet in your town this weekend. It’s Texas, so do your fam a favor and don’t forget to show ‘em some love on Saturday!