Mayflower Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Awareness Historical
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September 16
Holiday emoji:: ⛵

Mayflower Day, observed every September 16, commemorates the historic 1620 voyage of the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England, to the New World. It marks the enduring legacy of their journey and the foundational principles they established. Reflect on this pivotal moment in American history, explore the Mayflower’s impact, and learn about the Pilgrims’ enduring contributions.

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Expected Mayflower Day Deals

As a Recognition holiday, Mayflower Day focuses on historical education and preservation rather than commercial deals. Organizations like Plimoth Patuxet Museums and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants often host special events, lectures, and virtual tours. Genealogy services such as Ancestry.com and MyHeritage may offer promotions on historical records or DNA kits for those tracing their lineage. Educational publishers like Scholastic and National Geographic Kids might highlight resources on early American history. Travel agencies specializing in historical tours could feature packages to Plymouth, Massachusetts, or England. We will update this page with confirmed live programs as September 16 approaches.

Platform Guide for Mayflower Day

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MayflowerDay. Share historical facts, images, or personal connections to the Mayflower story.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #MayflowerDay. Join discussions about American history, share educational resources, or post about related historical sites.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #MayflowerDay. Discuss the leadership and governance aspects of the Mayflower Compact.

Mayflower Day Hero

William Bradford

William Bradford (1590–1657) was a passenger on the Mayflower and served as the Governor of Plymouth Colony for over 30 years. He was instrumental in shaping the colony's governance, including the signing of the Mayflower Compact. His detailed journal, 'Of Plimoth Plantation,' remains one of the most important primary sources on the early history of the colony and the Pilgrims' experiences.

History of Mayflower Day

Mayflower Day is the day set aside to commemorate the history of the journey that saw travelers from England who were seeking refuge, sail through the ocean to create a new colony in the ‘Promised Land’ which is the territory of the modern-day United States.
Although the ship reached and eventually ducked at present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts, its original destination was a region in and around the present-day territory of the U.S. state of Virginia. According to historical accounts, rough sea conditions and storms prevented it from reaching its final destination in Virginia and subsequently dock at an area around present-day the Hudson River in what is now New York state.

The original 102 travelers on Mayflower were led by a group of English merchants known as the London Adventurers on one of whose journals most of the written account of the 66-day journey was obtained from.

Mayflower Day celebration serves as a remembrance of the history, travelers, and the vessel that has now become an important part of the creation of the modern-day United States.

One of the travelers on the Mayflower ship, William Bradford is considered to have helped establish the traditions of self-government that would later set the pattern for national political development in years to come with his introduction of franchise and town meetings as the 30-year governor of the Plymouth colony where the travelers of Mayflower settled and is also one of thirteen colonies that formed the present United States.

Mayflower Day timeline

1624

Mayflower was Sold Off as Scrap

After its voyage back to England in 1621, no further record of the Mayflower was found until May 1624, when it was appraised to be sold off as scrap.

1622

Mayflower’s Captain Jones’ Dies

Christopher Jones, master, and quarter-owner of the Mayflower died and was buried in Surrey, England, on March 5, 1622.

September 1620

Mayflower Set Sail from Plymouth

The Mayflower traveled from Plymouth, England to America with 102 souls on board.

November 1620

Mayflower Reaches America

On November 21, 1620, Mayflower reached Cape Cod, Massachusetts after 10 weeks.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Mayflower Day

Local businesses, especially those in New England, can honor Mayflower Day by highlighting historical connections or offering educational content. Bookstores might feature sections on colonial history or historical fiction. Restaurants could offer ‘Pilgrim-inspired’ dishes or host themed events. Travel agencies can promote tours to historical sites in Plymouth, Massachusetts, or offer educational packages for families interested in genealogy and early American history.

Mayflower Day FAQs

When is Mayflower Day?

Mayflower Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, September 16, marking the anniversary of the ship’s departure from Plymouth, England, in 1620. This day invites reflection on a foundational journey in American history.

How many people were on the Mayflower?

The Mayflower departed with approximately 102 passengers, including men, women, and children, along with a crew of about 30. This diverse group faced immense challenges during their 66-day journey.

How many Mayflower descendants are there today?

It’s estimated that tens of millions of people worldwide can trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower passengers. In the United States alone, the number is believed to be around 35 million.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact, signed on November 11, 1620, was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It established a system of self-governance based on the consent of the governed, setting a precedent for democratic rule in America.

Mayflower Day Activities

Read a history book or watch a documentary
There are several free documentaries about the Mayflower’s journey from England on the internet, Watch it. Or, go to your favorite library to learn from the interesting accounts of various authors.
Visit a museum
Plimoth Plantation Museum and Pilgrim Hall Museums in Massachusetts are two of the museums dedicated to housing the Mayflower ship’s relics and teaching visitors about the journey that led to the creation of one of the colonies that led to modern-day America. Visit them.
Talk about its importance on social media
Discussing the importance of the 66-day journey is another way to celebrate Mayflower Day. Use hashtag #MayflowerDay to post on social media.

5 Things You Don’t Know About Mayflower

It didn’t become a barn in England
The claim of the Mayflower ship ending up as a barn in Jordan England was an error originating from J. Rendel Harris' 1920’s book titled “The Finding Of The Mayflower” that has been discredited as an overzealous imagination on the tercentenary anniversary of the Mayflower's voyage, combined with a tainted oral history.
There is a Mayflower Compact
Before disembarking the Mayflower, passengers of the ship wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that established a rudimentary government where each member would contribute to the safety and welfare of the planned settlement in modern-day Plymouth Massachusetts.
It was constructed in Harwich, England
The Mayflower was said to have been constructed in Harwich, England, shortly before English merchant Christopher Jones purchased the vessel in 1608.
It was at least 27 meters long
Marine archaeologists estimate that the Mayflower ship weighed about 180 tons and measured 90 feet (27 meters) long.
Mayflower has a replica
In 1957 the historic journey of the Mayflower was commemorated with a replica of the original ship built in England and sailed to Massachusetts in 53 days

Why We Love Mayflower Day

It reminds us of the history of the United States
Mayflower was the ship that brought the founding fathers of the New England colony that led to the modern-day United States. Mayflower Day reminds us of all the events before, during, and after the colony’s creation in 1620.
It is an opportunity to visit a history museum
Visiting a history museum is perhaps the best way to celebrate Mayflower Day. It is an avenue to experience the historic journey
It helps to motivate us for the future
The Mayflower ship’s history inspires us! The historical event of the ship’s journey and the events that succeeded it sometimes serve as motivation for what’s to come.