People went to North America for different reasons. One hundred and two people lift England for the new continent because they wanted religious freedom. These people were known as Pilgrims and they arrived in 1620, on a ship called The Mayflower.
The place where they first arrived became a very important symbol in the history of the country is fight for freedom. The rock that they first walked on, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is called Plymouth Rock. Life for the Pilgrims was difficult. The weather was very cold and there were dangerous wild animals. Many people died. But the Pilgrims could own land and live better lives than they had in Europe. As the end of the first year, the local people the Native Americans and the English settlers celebrated with a large meal together to give thanks that they were still alive.