The Pilgrims Trivia Quiz

Answer: Speedwell

It was the "Speedwell". The Speedwell broke down and did not make the perilous trip. Most of the colonists wanted to go to Virginia, but hurricane type winds pushed the boat to the coast of Massaschusetts and "the rest is history".

Answer: 102

102 passengers left Plymouth. Two died and one baby was born. There was 101 passengers who docked onto "Plymouth Rock". Contrary to popular belief, there were only 37 Separtists. The rest was the crew of the ship and hired protectors.

Answer: Myles Standish

Myles Standish was the mercenary hired by the pilgrims to protect them from the wilds of the new frontier.

Answer: Virginia

The Pilgrims were headed toward the colony of Virginia. The ship encountered hurricanes and had to take their sails down and anchor. The result was a broken beam in the middle of the boat that was fixed with a giant screw and two beams.

Answer: Thanksgiving

A year later the Pilgrims held have a feast to thank God for His bounty. President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863 when he felt the country needed a celebration. Franklin Roosevelt changed it to the last Thursday in November because he wanted to boost the nation's economy.

Answer: William Penn

Penn would be the colonist of Pennsylvania. Bradford, Carver and Brewster would be instrumental in the success of the Plymouth Colony.

Answer: John Howland

There is not much known about the incident except that one of the crewmen supposedly threw an oar overboard and then a rope. Howland was saved.

Answer: Samoset

Samoset was a native who had learned English from earlier traders in the northern woods. He was originally of the Algonquin tribe. He made friends with these people and introduced them to Squanto.

Answer: Squanto

Squanto was kidnapped and taken to Europe. He served seven years in Europe as an indentured servant. He came back to his native land to find all of his people had been killed by disease.

Answer: Washington

Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863, but 74 years earlier (in 1789) Washington had declared a national day of thanks. The day to most Americans is symbolic of us being thankful for our blessings. The Pilgirms had came through a great tribulational period and had a feast. Washington's declaration was that the U.S.A. was an independent country and the day of thanks was a tribute. Lincoln's official declaration was toward the end of the American Civil War and the day was set aside for us to be thankful for the health and prosperity of each individual and our country as a whole.