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National Geographic

BEYOND THE MAYFLOWER

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we see a wild devil ray mating ritual, discover surprising truths of Thanksgiving's creators, learn clues to human aging ... and uncover the mystery of centuries-old murder of two young British princes.

A black and white painting of the Mayflower

PHOTOGRAPH BY DETROIT PUBLISHING COMPANY, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Benevolent Pilgrims? Amiable Native Americans? Thanksgiving stories glide over a first encounter that featured gunfire and arrows.

Teachers may have skipped over the treachery, bloodshed, and betrayal of the Thanksgiving story. Yet the relationship between Native Americans and these newcomers from the Mayflower (above) was more human and intimate than portrayed.

Here’s what you may not have known.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A video of a large group of devil rays swimming around in a circle

VIDEO BY SHAWN HEINRICHS

122 devil rays joined in a wild mating ritual that lasted for hours. See it here.

It kills the old and the young. Finally, there are vaccines for the sneaky virus RSV. Here’s how to get protected.

Who gets to claim the ‘world’s richest shipwreck’?

Turkeys have gobbled their way to record high numbers in New England—but not all people are thankful

These foods really help ease inflammation

Full humpback whale birth witnessed for first time

Did researchers solve the ultimate cold case: the murder of two British heirs to the throne?

How Vitamin A and E supplements can do more harm than good

Are these U.S. towns really named for pigeons, roaches, and worms?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

An overhead photo of a Thanksgiving feast

PHOTOGRAPH BY LAURA PARTAIN, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX

Delicious ... and healthy: A big part of the joy of Thanksgiving is food—and some things on your holiday plate will make you thankful for their nutritional value. We’re serious. Check this out!

A NUTRITIONAL THANKSGIVING

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Researchers take measurements and samples of blood, fluid, and skin from a baboon in a Kenya national park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NICHOLE SOBECKI

Discovering wild baboons—and ourselves: A decades-old project is learning how baboons age—and providing clues for human health as well. (Pictured above, researchers take measurements and samples of blood, fluid, and skin from a baboon in a Kenya national park.)

LAST GLIMPSE

Vitamin E supplements

PHOTOGRAPH BY WOLFGANG VOLZ, LAIF/REDUX

Which vitamin supplements might be bad for you? Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin E (photographed above), are stored in the body's fat reserves, which is why they have potential to accumulate to toxic levels. Find out more.

Today’s soundtrack: Great DJ, The Ting Tings

Thanks for reading our newsletter! It was edited and curated by Jen Tse and David Beard. We'd love to hear from you: [email protected].

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