USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States), C. pepo pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7, 000 to 5, 500 BC. Today, pumpkins of varied species are widely grown for food, as well as for aesthetic and recreational purposes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Scientists believe that pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago. The oldest pumpkin seeds have been found in Mexico and date back to somewhere between 7000-5550 B.C.. Pumpkins (along with other forms of squash) were a historically important food staple among Native Americans.

Detailed explanation-3: -The pumpkin is the oldest known cultivated plant in the New World. When I use the term New World it means, North, Central and South America. Native peoples in Mexico started growing pumpkins for food over 11, 000 years ago.

Detailed explanation-4: -Though there is still much to be learned about it, the pumpkin is believed to have originated in the ancient civilizations of North and Central America before spreading to Europe and other parts of the world during the early 16th century, the era of European colonial expansion.

Detailed explanation-5: -Although Christopher Columbus brought pumpkins to Europe towards the end of the 15th century, it was the Portuguese who helped spread pumpkins around the world, by cultivating them in their commercial projects in Africa, China and Japan.