The founders of the Plymouth Colony were Separatists and they observed three holy days. 'the weekly Sabbath, the Day of Humiliation and Fasting, and the Day of Thanksgiving and Praise.' Carolyn Freeman Travers, Research Manager of Plimoth Plantation goes on to explain: 'The latter two were held for special circumstances. A series of misfortunes meant that God was displeased, and the people should both search for the cause(s) and humble themselves before him. Good fortune, on the other hand, was a sign of God’s mercy and compassion, and therefore he should be thanked and praised. ...Early fast days and thanksgiving days were similar in many respects. They were called by either church or civil officials or the two working together. Occasionally, officials reacted to one overwhelming situation, such as an epidemic. More frequently, there were a number of reasons....A 1685 Day of Thanksgiving in the Plymouth church was held for “continuance of spirituall & civill liberties, a good harvest notwithstanding a threatening drought, & for health.”'
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