This day, Nov. 12, 1620, was the Pilgrims’ first full day in America. It took over two months for the 103 of them, cramped between decks on the tiny Mayflower, to cross the freezing North Atlantic. They had intended to sail to Jamestown, but were blown off course by violent storms and landed at Plymouth Rock instead. Gov. William Bradford wrote: “Being thus arrived … they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean and delivered them from all the perils… again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth.”
