Pilgrims were early settlers who traveled to the New World in search of religious freedom. The most famous group, known as the Pilgrims, left England on the Mayflower in 1620 and established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. They sought to practice their faith without persecution. The journey of the Pilgrims was challenging, as they faced harsh weather and limited supplies. Upon arrival, they encountered the Wampanoag people, who helped them survive by teaching them local farming techniques. The Pilgrims' story is often celebrated during Thanksgiving, a holiday that commemorates their first harvest in 1621.