Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
October 3rd, 1789
As President, on October 3rd 1789, George Washington stated the following
proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the
national government 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
shown 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 increase 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.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
2008 Presidential Proclamation
2007 Presidential Proclamation
2006 Presidential Proclamation
2005 Presidential Proclamation
2004 Presidential Proclamation
2003 Presidential Proclamation
2001 Presidential Proclamation
1999 Presidential Proclamation
1998 Presidential Proclamation
1996 Presidential Proclamation
Ram Navami
Passover
Personal Finance Guide
Multifaceted Blog
Good Morning
Dating