In this deep-dive episode of What You Didn’t Hear, we uncover the surprising true story of William Bradford, the first Governor of the Plymouth Colony—and the Christmas he shut down.
Most people know the Pilgrims for the Mayflower and the First Thanksgiving, but few have heard about the tense December day in 1621 when Christmas became a battleground in early American history. Drawing directly from Bradford’s own journal, this episode explores how Puritan beliefs, cultural clashes, and the desperate reality of colonial survival led to what can only be described as America’s first Christmas crackdown.
Travel back to the brutal first winters of Plymouth, where nearly half the colonists perished, religious convictions ran deep, and even games like stoolball became acts of rebellion. When new settlers arrived with English Christmas traditions—sports, singing, and open celebration—Bradford faced a dilemma that revealed the fault lines between faith, authority, and personal freedom in the New World.
Was Christmas considered sinful by the Puritans? Why did the Pilgrims ban Christmas celebrations? And how did this forgotten moment shape New England’s relationship with the holiday for centuries to come?
From the frozen streets of Plymouth to the eventual return of Christmas as a national holiday, “The Governor Who Stole Christmas” reveals a lesser-known but deeply human story hiding between the pages of early American history.
If you’re fascinated by Pilgrim history, Puritan culture, the Mayflower, colonial America, or the real origins of Christmas in the United States, this episode will change how you see the holidays forever.
🎙️ Listen now and discover what you didn’t hear about the first Christmas in Plymouth.
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What You Didn’t Hear, the podcast where we dive into the overlooked stories that happened on the same days as history’s biggest events. While the world was watching one headline, countless other stories quietly unfolded—some fascinating, some tragic, and some that changed lives in ways we’ve never heard about.
In each episode, we’ll take you beyond the front page and shine a light on the moments history forgot. Because every day holds more than one story—and it’s time those voices were heard.
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If you have any questions or recommendations for Deep Dive episode topics that you would like to hear, I can be reached by e-mail at whatyoudidnthear.podcast@gmail.com
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