The Real Story of Plymouth Answer Key
The Real Story of Plymouth Answer Key – If you’ve ever visited Plymouth Rock for the first time, you might have said, “That’s it?” Many people expect something grand when they hear about it, but Plymouth Rock is just a big boulder. It’s not the majestic landmark you might imagine.
And here’s the surprising part: there’s no proof that Plymouth Rock is where the Pilgrims first set foot in the New World. When the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, they landed on Cape Cod first, not Plymouth. There’s no written record of them stepping onto a rock as they began their new life in America.
It wasn’t until 1741, more than a century later, that people started saying Plymouth Rock was the spot where the Pilgrims first landed. An elderly man named Thomas Faunce, who was 94 years old at the time, claimed that his father, who arrived in Plymouth in 1623, and some of the original Mayflower passengers told him that the rock was indeed the landing spot. But we can’t be sure if Faunce’s story is accurate or just a tale from his old age.
One thing we do know is that Plymouth Rock, despite its humble beginnings, became a symbol of America. It grew into an iconic symbol, much like the United States itself. Just like our country, Plymouth Rock had its ups and downs, but it endured through the centuries.
By the 1770s, just a few years after Faunce’s claim, Plymouth Rock had become a symbol of freedom. In 1774, as the revolutionary spirit spread through Plymouth, some passionate patriots wanted to use Plymouth Rock in their cause. They tried to move it from the harbor to a liberty pole in front of the town’s meetinghouse. While trying to load it onto a carriage, the rock accidentally broke in two. Some people saw this as a sign that America should break away from Britain. The lower half stayed near the shore, and the top half was moved to the town square.
In 1834, on July 4th, Plymouth Rock was on the move again, this time to the front lawn of the Pilgrim Hall Museum. But the journey was far from smooth. As the rock was passing the courthouse, it fell from the cart and broke in two again. People couldn’t resist taking a piece of the rock as a souvenir. Even today, fragments of the rock can be found in places like the Smithsonian Institution and the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn.
Back at the harbor, a Victorian-style canopy was built in the 1860s to cover the lower portion of Plymouth Rock still embedded in the shoreline. To fit inside this new monument, the rock had to be trimmed. Years later, they found a 400-pound piece of the rock being used as a doorstep in a historic house. The Plymouth Antiquarian Society donated a piece of it to the Pilgrim Hall Museum, where visitors can touch it.
In 1880, as the United States was healing after the Civil War, the top part of Plymouth Rock was returned to the harbor and joined with its base. The date “1620” was carved onto the stone’s surface, replacing the painted numbers.
In honor of the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival, Plymouth Rock’s current home, which looks like a Roman temple, was built. The rock now sits on a sandy bed 5 feet below street level, enclosed like an exhibit at a zoo. Because of all the accidents and trimmings over the years, Plymouth Rock is estimated to be only a third or half of its original size, and only a third of it is visible, with the rest buried under the sand. A noticeable cement scar reminds us of the rock’s tumultuous history.
While the original Pilgrims may never have set foot on Plymouth Rock, it still draws a different kind of pilgrim today. Over a million people visit it each year. Yes, it may not be as impressive as some people expect, and its historical significance is uncertain, but it’s a symbol of America that has stood the test of time.
Plymouth Rock: A Humble Beginning
When you think of Plymouth Rock, you might imagine a massive, awe-inspiring landmark. However, the reality is quite different. Plymouth Rock is just a large boulder, and it often disappoints visitors who expect more. But is it really the spot where the Pilgrims first landed in America? The truth is, there’s no concrete evidence to support that claim.
In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived on the shores of America, but it wasn’t Plymouth Rock where they first set foot. They actually landed on Cape Cod in November before making their way to Plymouth the following month. Interestingly, there are no written accounts from the Pilgrims themselves that mention them stepping onto a particular rock as they disembarked.
It took 121 years, until 1741, for someone to identify a 10-ton boulder in Plymouth Harbor as the exact spot where the Pilgrims landed. This declaration came from an elderly man named Thomas Faunce, who was 94 years old at the time. He claimed that his father, who had arrived in Plymouth in 1623, and some of the original Mayflower passengers had assured him that this boulder was the actual landing spot. However, we cannot be certain whether Faunce’s recollection was accurate or if it was a product of his advanced age.
One thing we can be sure of is that Plymouth Rock, despite its modest beginnings, eventually became an enduring symbol of America. Much like the United States itself, Plymouth Rock went through its own journey of growth and transformation. It faced challenges but continued to stand the test of time.
Plymouth Rock’s Role in American History
By the 1770s, just a few years after Faunce’s assertion, Plymouth Rock had already become a symbol of freedom. In 1774, as revolutionary fervor swept through Plymouth, some of the town’s most dedicated patriots wanted to use Plymouth Rock in their cause. They attempted to move the boulder from the harbor to a liberty pole in front of the town’s meetinghouse. In the process, however, the rock accidentally broke in two. Some saw this as a sign that America should sever ties with Great Britain. The lower half of Plymouth Rock remained by the shoreline, while the top half was relocated to the town square.
In 1834, on July 4th, Plymouth Rock was on the move once more, this time to the front lawn of the Pilgrim Hall Museum. However, the journey was far from smooth. As the rock was passing the courthouse, it fell from the cart and broke in two again. People couldn’t resist taking a piece of the rock as a souvenir, and even today, fragments of the rock can be found in places like the Smithsonian Institution and the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn.
At the harbor, a Victorian-style canopy was constructed in the 1860s to cover the lower portion of Plymouth Rock, which was still embedded in the shoreline. To fit inside this new monument, the rock had to be trimmed. Years later, a 400-pound piece of the rock was discovered serving as a doorstep in a historic house. The Plymouth Antiquarian Society donated a part of it to the Pilgrim Hall Museum, where visitors can touch this tangible piece of history.
In 1880, at a time when the United States was healing after the Civil War, the top portion of Plymouth Rock was returned to the harbor and reunited with its base. The date “1620” was carved onto the stone’s surface, replacing the painted numbers.
To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival, Plymouth Rock’s current home, resembling a Roman temple, was constructed. The rock now rests on a sandy bed 5 feet below street level, enclosed like an exhibit at a zoo. Over the years, due to various accidents and modifications, Plymouth Rock is estimated to be only a third or half of its original size. Only a third of the stone is visible, with the rest buried under the sand. A noticeable cement scar serves as a reminder of the rock’s eventful history.
Plymouth Rock Today: A Symbolic Attraction
While the original Pilgrims may not have actually set foot on Plymouth Rock, it continues to attract visitors today. Over a million people visit it each year. While it may not meet the grand expectations of some, and its historical significance remains uncertain, Plymouth Rock is undeniably a symbol of America that has endured through the centuries. It may be a humble boulder, but it has a significant place in the nation’s history and imagination.
What is the story of Plymouth?
Plymouth Colony, also known as Plimouth, was the very first English colony in New England, lasting from 1620 to 1691. It was the second permanent English colony in America, right after the Jamestown Colony. People from the Mayflower settled there, and Captain John Smith had previously explored and named the area.
Why is Plymouth famous?
Plymouth holds great importance in American colonial history. It marks the final stop of the Mayflower’s first journey and was where the original Plymouth Colony settlement was established.
Is Plymouth Rock the real one?
There’s no concrete historical proof that Plymouth Rock is the exact rock the Pilgrims first stepped on in the New World. However, in 1741, 121 years after the Mayflower arrived, it was claimed to be the spot.
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