Texans also claim that their state is the home of the first Thanksgiving. In 1598, Juan de Oñate led an expedition of Spaniards northward from Mexico through the Chihuahua Desert. They were running low on water and food when they stumbled into the Rio Grande valley, where they found water as well as plenty of ducks, geese and fish, but no turkeys. Nonetheless, they celebrated a Thanksgiving service.
In the 21st century, Juan de Oñate fell out of favor with the Wokesters, so his statue, which stood in Alcalde, NM was removed.
Being raised on a little ranch in W. Texas, I can see how anyone not familiar with the desert and the surrounding areas finally getting out of the Chihuahua Desert and seeing water and green plants would say a mass, shoot game, and go fishing for food and celebrate...