On this day in history, September 16th, 2024, 404 years ago

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

SEPTEMBER 16TH 2024

On this day in history, September 16th, 2024, 404 years ago today, a famous ship named
the Mayflower set sail for the new world. The Mayflower had 102 people underneath her
esteemed sails when she departed from Plymouth, England. These pilgrims were headed for
Virginia when they left England’s foggy shores. After 66 days of sorrowful conditions our
forefathers found themselves off the coast of modern day Massachusetts; about 500 miles
north of their intended destination.

The people on board the Mayflower did not all share the same reasons for coming to
the new world. Some of the people came to escape religious persecution. Other people came
to make money. All of the people found hardship and adventure. The first winter about half of
the pilgrims died from privations and disease. However the living did endure. Under the
leadership of William Bradford, and by following the agreements and laws found in their newly
constructed “Mayflower Compact” the pilgrims began to prosper. With hard work and the help
of Divine Providence the pilgrims cultivated a good crop their first full year in the new world.
The fall of 1621 saw a great feast and celebration enjoyed by the Plymouth colonists and a few
of the local Native Americans. The first Thanksgiving was a day of thanks indeed for the
surviving pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.

I am grateful for those brave pilgrims who braved the stormy Atlantic and came to
America’s blessed shores. My wife and your friend Brigham are direct descendants of William
Bradford. These pilgrims came and endured and stayed. Without them America may have

never happened. Without them you may not be here today. On September 16th, 1620 a
handful of brave souls with strong convictions left the old world to begin life anew for
themselves, and their posterity. Those Plymouth pioneers thought the trip would only last a
few weeks. 404 years ago today a journey began that has now lasted for