George Washington's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
10/3/1789
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On September 28, 1789, just before leaving for recess, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. A few days later, President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Publick Thanksgivin" - the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution. Subsequent presidents issued Thanksgiving Proclamations, but the dates and even months of the celebrations varied. It wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Proclamation that Thanksgiving was regularly commemorated each year on the last Thursday of November.
In the years since, though not a requirement, Presidential proclamations of Thanksgiving have served as an enduring tradition offering a unique look into the various struggles that were affecting Americans around this time of year. It is customary for each President to release a statement every year to officially acknowledge the nationwide celebration of the holiday.
In the years since, though not a requirement, Presidential proclamations of Thanksgiving have served as an enduring tradition offering a unique look into the various struggles that were affecting Americans around this time of year. It is customary for each President to release a statement every year to officially acknowledge the nationwide celebration of the holiday.
Transcript
By the President of the United States of Americaa Proclamation
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 this 26th day of November rest to be devoted by the People of the United 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 pray these all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks- for his kind case and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a nation- for the original and manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition 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 national 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, discretely 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 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 back 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.
G Washington
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
National Archives Identifier: 299956
Full Citation: George Washington's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; 10/3/1789; Presidential Proclamations, 1791 - 2016; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/washington-thanksgiving-proclamation, September 17, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
