Thanksgiving History Lesson & George Washington’s Thanksgiving
Proclamation
The concept of Thanksgiving Day started with the pilgrims, as
mentioned in the video link below. But an official day declared throughout the
land was not begun until years later. 
In 1789 the U.S. first president, George Washington, issued a
proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving. Here is President Washington’s proclamation. I’d like to
encourage you to print it out and read it at your Thanksgiving celebration.
George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
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Seventy-four years later during a tumultuous time, in a nation
torn by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the
last Thursday of November a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise.”
©Connie Wohlford 2015
In 1789 the U.S. first president, George Washington, issued a
proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving. Here is President Washington’s proclamation. I’d like to
encourage you to print it out and read it at your Thanksgiving celebration.
George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
By
the President of the United
States of America
Whereas
it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to
obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his
protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint
Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of
public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful
hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an
opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and
happiness.
Now
therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to
be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and
glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is,
or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere
and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this
Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold
mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we
experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war -- for the great
degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for
the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish
constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the
national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with
which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful
knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath
been pleased to confer upon us.
and
also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon
our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or
private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people,
by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws,
discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all
Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to
bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge
and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them
and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given
under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of
our Lord 1789.
Go:
Washington
The
Library of Congress George
Washington Collection
The
Library of Congress Thanksgiving in
America
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OF OUR LIBERTIES
 |
| Norman Rockwell - "Thanksgiving" |
Each year on that day, Americans gather for a day of feasting,
football and family. While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be
unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to
be a day for Americans to come together around the table—albeit with some
updates to pilgrim’s menu.
Click on this link for a
History Channel video about the history of Thanksgiving:
Click on this link for information about President Abraham
Lincoln’s proclamation---- includes the words of his proclamation.
©Connie Wohlford 2015
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