Crafty Bastards by Lauren Clark

It is true the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth because they were low on beer. I don't remember hearing that in history class. You'll get the full story and more here. It was in 1620 that New England's relationship with beer and ale started. You'll learn about the growth of brewing and New Englander's thirst for for the stuff has rarely ebbed. Although Cider, rum and prohibition gave beer some competition it still survived. Even learn of it's revival in recent decades. Crack open a local brew and enjoy this easy to read and enjoyable trip along the region's brewing history. Crafty Bastards: Beer in New England from the Mayflower to Modern Day by Lauren Clark

Wicked Awesome History : 1621 - Not so Merry Christmas in Plymouth

The early Pilgrims treated Christmas as any other day.The hardline Puritans could find no reference to the holiday in the Bible and considered it a pagan holiday.  Christmas day in 1621 Governor Bradford had reluctantly let the “Strangers”(non-separatists) let them have the day off. As he and others went off to work the strangers went about and played in the streets including stool ball(an early version of cricket). Governor Bradford was furious when he returned and even confiscated their bat and balls. Told them it was unfair for them to do so in public and to keep celebrations indoors. In  Massachusetts and Connecticut Christmas was actually against the law for many years until 1681 when the last of these were repealed.

Voyage of the Mayflower 2 in 1957

A short film of the voyage of the replica Mayflower 2 from Plymouth,  England to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Plymouth Colony- "The Pilgrims"

A short 22 minute film made by Encyclopedia Brittanica in 1955 dramatizing the story of the settling of Plymouth , Massachusetts.

People in Wicked Awesome History - John Carver

John Carver

1584-1621

Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620 by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris

John Carver was a Leiden Separatist who traveled on the Mayflower in 1620 and helped establish the Plymouth Colony. He is considered to be the one who wrote the Mayflower Compact as he was first signer and was the colony's first governor. He was wealthy as he helped fund and organize the voyage. First wife and child passed away soon after birth. Married again to Katherine White who had a child who died at childbirth. John died in April 1621 after complaining of headaches while working in the fields. William Bradford was named his successor. The towns of Carver and North Carver (both in Massachusetts) are named in his honor.

Mayflower II: A National Treasure