When is Forefathers’ Day?

The next occurence will be on December 22nd, 2024. The last occurence was on December 22nd, 2023.

Forefathers' Day (December 22nd)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every December 22nd
Tagged as:	Family People & Relationships
What's the hashtag?	#ForefathersDay
When was it founded?	1769
We first published this page on:	Dec 23rd, 2017
We last updated this page:	Dec 5th, 2024

Few things are more important to Americans than heritage. Remembering where you come from, and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are are all integral parts of the concept of the American dream.

For those reasons, what could be more American in nature than Forefathers’ Day? This event celebrates the pilgrims courageously sailing across the vast ocean they knew very little about at the time, in search of a better life and freedom from religious persecution.

When they set foot on the shores of North America, they themselves were the beginning of a new country that would one day become a world superpower. Now that’s definitely an event worth celebrating.

How to Celebrate Forefathers’ Day

Read About the Forefathers

One great way to spend this day is to find out more about the history of the different pilgrim clubs and their traditions. There is a lot to learn and it makes interesting reading!

Head over to the public library or a local bookstore to learn more about the forefathers. Check out one of these books on the topic to get started:

The Founding Fathers: The Essential Guide to the Men Who Made America by Encyclopedia Britannica
The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers by Thomas Fleming
The Mayflower Pilgrims: Sifting Fact from Fable by Derek Wilson

Visit Plymouth, Massachusetts

Get personally involved with Forefathers’ Day by heading out to where it all began. Plymouth, Massachusetts was the site where the founding Pilgrims first arrived. So head out to this historical site, not far from Boston, and see what historical adventures await!

Learn About the Mayflower Society and Old Colony Club

The Mayflower Society and the Old Colony Club are worth learning more about. The Mayflower Society, which is officially named The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, is a hereditary organization of people who’s descent has been documented from at least one of the 102 passengers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620.

This is the area that is now known as Plymouth today. This society has been running for many years now, as it was first established in 1897.

You then have the famous Old Colony Club, which is one of the United States’ oldest Gentlemen’s Clubs. This was founded in Plymouth in 1769. The club was established by eight gentlemen who said that their reason for creating the Old Colony Club was to avoid the following:

“the many disadvantages and inconveniences that arise from intermixing with the company at the taverns in … Plymouth.”

The traditions and history of this club make interesting reading. During the American Revolution, it actually declined because of a split between Patriot and Tory members. However, it was revived in 1875.

Celebrate with Succotash Dinner

The contemporary version of this feast is the Old Colony Club or Mayflower Society dinner party, which usually involves eating succotash.

Nowadays, succotash is a hearty stew made from vegetables and often thick slices of poultry placed on top, but at the time, it was nothing more than sweet corn and and different kinds of beans, sometimes baked in a casserole-type dish under a pie crust to make a sort of pot pie.

In fact, Succotash (from the Narragansett word sohquttahhash) means “broken corn kernels”, and at the very very beginning that’s pretty much all it was.

Other ingredients may have been added later as well, including tomatoes and green or sweet red peppers.

To celebrate Forefathers’ Day properly, you could try preparing and eating the hallowed Forefather’s traditional succotash, just to get a tiny taste of all the hardships and discomforts that they had to go through to help make America what it is today.

Learn About Forefathers’ Day

Forefathers’ Day was designed to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Massachusetts area of Plymouth. This happened on the 21st of December in 1620. The observance of the day was introduced a lot later, though, in 1769.

There are a number of different events that the Old Colony Club put on in order to recognize their forefathers.

There is a march on the top of Cole’s Hill on this day, which all members of the club participate in. After this, a proclamation is read, which honors the forefathers. The club’s cannon is then fired, which is another important ritual. You can read more about all of these rituals online to get a better understanding.

Another part of the tradition involves a succotash dinner. This is something that both the Mayflower Society and Old Colony Club do.

This was recorded as part of the first celebration, and it has continued ever since. For those who are unaware, this is a type of culinary dish that is mainly made of sweetcorn, which is combined with lima beans and other types of shell beans.

Other ingredients that people include are okra, multi-colored sweet peppers, tomatoes, salt pork, turnips, potatoes, and corned beef.

As you can see, it is a pretty versatile dish! In the early days, succotash was served as a broth, which contained big pieces of meat and fowl that were sliced at the table. So, as you can see, it has changed quite a lot over the years!

History of Forefathers’ Day

Forefathers’ Day is a commemoration of the pilgrims who sailed the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Mayflower, in 1620. As they had left England in search of better days, the Pilgrim Fathers settled on US territory, which they subsequently christened New England.

And as they had set sail from Plymouth, England, they decided to give their landing spot the whimsical name of Plymouth Rock.

Therefore, Forefathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated mainly in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The holiday was introduced to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1769, so it has quite a long history and tradition.

However, the joyous occasion was first celebrated in 1769, because 149 years after the forefathers actually arrived in North America, some descendants decided to gather for a feast in honour of their ancestors, who would have been their great-great-grandfathers.

Bonus Recipe: Forefathers’ Style Succotash

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh lima beans
1 1/2 cups diced onion
2 tablespoons oil
4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 6 ears)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Place lima beans in a medium saucepan, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes or until beans are tender.

Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Sauté diced onion in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes.

Stir in corn; cook, stirring often, 6 minutes or until corn is tender. Stir in beans and 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in butter, and add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chives.

Forefathers’ Day FAQs

Why is Forefathers’ Day celebrated on December 22 instead of December 21?

The Pilgrims landed on December 21, 1620. However, when the Gregorian calendar was adopted, a miscalculation shifted the anniversary to December 22. This error persisted, and the date remains December 22.

How did the Old Colony Club come to celebrate Forefathers’ Day?

Founded in 1769 by Mayflower descendants, the Old Colony Club aimed to honor their ancestors. They initiated Forefathers’ Day celebrations, featuring marches, proclamations, and traditional meals.

What is the significance of succotash in Forefathers’ Day celebrations?

Succotash, a stew of corn and beans, was part of early colonial diets. During Forefathers’ Day, it’s served as a broth with large pieces of fowl and meat, reflecting historical culinary practices.

Are there any unique traditions associated with Forefathers’ Day?

In Plymouth, the Old Colony Club members march to Cole’s Hill at 6:00 AM, read a proclamation honoring the forefathers, and fire a cannon—a tradition dating back to 1769.

How did Forefathers’ Day influence the establishment of Thanksgiving?

Before Thanksgiving became a national holiday, Forefathers’ Day was widely celebrated to honor the Pilgrims. Over time, Thanksgiving adopted many of its themes and traditions.

What role did the Mayflower Society play in Forefathers’ Day?

The Mayflower Society, comprising Mayflower descendants, participates in Forefathers’ Day by organizing events and dinners, preserving the legacy of the Pilgrims.

How has Forefathers’ Day been perceived over time?

Initially, it was a major celebration, especially in New England. However, its prominence declined after Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday.

Are there any myths associated with Forefathers’ Day?

A common misconception is that the Pilgrims were always called “Pilgrims.” In fact, they were referred to as “forefathers” until the term “Pilgrims” became popular in the 19th century.

Do other countries observe a similar day?

While Forefathers’ Day is unique to the U.S., other nations have their own commemorations honoring early settlers or founders, though not on the same date.

How can individuals participate in Forefathers’ Day today?

People can visit historical sites in Plymouth, attend reenactments, prepare traditional meals like succotash, or engage in educational activities about the Pilgrims’ history.

See what else is happening…

There’s always more going on every month at Days Of The Year. Here are our favorites this month!

Forefathers’ Day