American's National Day of Thanksgiving

Parades, turkeys, pilgrims, thankful hearts, and football--these have each taken their place in the celebration of Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November. But how did this come to be? George Washington, our nation's first president, proclaimed a day of national thanksgiving on 3 October 1789 but the practice was not celebrated on the same day in all of the states in the years following his presidency. It wasn't until 3 October 1863 that Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation for such an observance. His motivation? A letter from Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor. She had written to presidents for 15 years with no answer. Her request came to Lincoln during one of the most difficult times of our country's history. Despite the divisions, strife, and pain of war, Lincoln aknowledged the mercies and blessings of the Most High God throughout the land. He believed it "fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People." 

As you prepare to celebrate your special day this year, visit the sites listed and share with your family and friends the reason for America's National Day of Thanksgiving. 

To see the text of Lincoln's Proclamation of Thanksgiving, go to www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm . For Barack O'bama's 2016 Presidential Proclamation, go to www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/proclamations