Thanksgiving has been a celebrated holiday since the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
However, the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving didn’t catch on across the Southern United States until much later.
In fact, Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated in Louisiana until 1846.
Thanksgiving history in Louisiana
Southern states didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving until later due to the holiday initially being recognized as a New England custom, however, the holiday celebration gained traction when it was declared to be a day set aside for thanks and prayers.
According to Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses, Governor Alexandre Mouton declared Louisiana’s first official Thanksgiving on Jan. 15, 1846.
Historically, Thanksgiving meals in Louisiana were different than what they are today. Instead of turkey as the main entree, wild duck was served as the center of the meal, due to duck being more available. Additionally, early Cajun Thanksgiving meals consisted of duck, desserts, gumbo, stuffed pumpkins, winter squash and other dishes.