The very first Thanksgiving happened almost 400 years ago—long before the nation was born. How did it evolve into America’s quintessential national holiday? Credit largely goes to two people—one, a name you know; the other, you’ve probably never heard—but should. Melanie Kirkpatrick explains how a harvest party between Pilgrims and Indians became our oldest national tradition.

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Richard Nixon gives his well-known two-armed victory salute during a campaign stop in El Paso. (Getty Images)