On this day, in 1620, the Mayflower set sail from England to the New World with 102 passengers on board. Bad weather and navigational errors meant that this journey took 66 days (History)! Read more about the pilgrims and their journey in these titles at the library.
The Documents of American Democracy series homes in on several of the important foundation papers that are central to U.S. history. Though the Mayflower Compact is often neglected, the series wisely includes the first document of the U.S. government. Written aboard the Mayflower, it not only laid out rules for the Plymouth Colony but it was used as a blueprint for future American governments.
An illustrated account of the life of John Howland, the young servant who was indentured to Pilgrim John Carver, describes how he embarked on the Mayflower and survived a fall off the ship before helping his ill shipmates by scouting out a safe harbor.
