Another important Anusim Thanksgiving took place in Texas in 1598 on an expedition that would have a lasting impact on the settlement of the southwestern United States. After the hideous torture and execution of the Anusim Carvajal family in Mexico, Juan de Oñate received permission to explore and settle present-day New Mexico. His crew of over 500 B’nai Anusim men, women and children left Santa Barbara, Mexico in November of 1597. After wandering through the barren Chihuahua desert for months, including the last four days without water, the expedition finally reached the Rio Grande near present-day San Elizario, Texas, where they found an abundance of water and plenty of wild game along the river. Grateful for their survival of the perilous journey, the Anusim settlers set out to prepare a grand celebration, along with the local Indians who warmly received them. Oñate, the leader of the expedition, declared the day to be a day of thanksgiving and celebration, with the Indians supplying fish and the Spanish supplying game. Gaspar Perez de Villagra, chronicled the journey in his book "Historia de Nuevo Mexico" (History of New Mexico), which was published in 1610. He described the Thanksgiving celebration as a "happy and joyous occasion."
After their thanksgiving celebration, Juan de Oñate and his crew continued their expedition into New Mexico where they established settlements at Santo Domingo (near present-day Albuquerque), Santa Fe, and San Gabriel.
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