What Happened in 1621

Alessandro Ludovisi (Gregory XV) elected Pope

Pope Gregory XV (9 January or 15 January 1554 – 8 July 1623), born Alessandro Ludovisi, was pope from 1621, succeeding Paul V on 9 February... Read more

First Formal Contact Between English Colonists and Native Americans

Samoset (ca. 1590 – 1653) was the first Native American to make contact with the Pilgrims. On March 16, 1621, the settlers were more than surprised... Read more

Pilgrims Negotiate Peace Treaty with Nauset

Massasoit and Squanto were apprehensive about the Pilgrims. In Massasoit's first contact with the English, several men of his tribe had been killed... Read more

English Settlers Organize Rescue Party to Retreive John Billington from Nauset, Improving Relations with Native Americans

In late July, a boy by the name of John Billington became lost for some time in the woods around the colony. It was reported he was found by the... Read more

English Pilgrims Negotiate Exclusive Trading Pact with Massasoit

As promised by Massasoit, numerous Native Americans arrived at Plymouth throughout the middle of 1621 with pledges of peace. On July 2, a party of... Read more

The "First" Thanksgiving

The autumn celebration in late 1621 that has become known as "The First Thanksgiving" was not known as such to the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims did... Read more

A Second Ship, the Fortune, Arrives at the Plymouth Colony

In November 1621, one year after the Pilgrims first set foot in New England, a second ship sent by the Merchant Adventurers arrived. Named the... Read more