The Mayflower was a ship that carried the first group of English settlers, known as the Pilgrims, to North America in 1620. This journey marked the beginning of permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, and after a challenging voyage, it arrived at Plymouth Rock in present-day Massachusetts. The Pilgrims sought religious freedom and a new life in America. Upon arrival, they established the Plymouth Colony, which became one of the earliest successful colonies in the New World. The Mayflower is often remembered for its role in American history and the Mayflower Compact, an early form of self-governance created by the settlers.