The First
Thanksgiving Observance
A Proclamation
Signed in Script Type by George Washington
Appearing
in The Massachusetts Centinel of October 14, 1789
Abstract
This historic proclamation
was issued by George Washington during his first year as President. It
sets aside Thursday, November 26 as "A Day of Publick Thanksgiving and
Prayer."
Signed by Washington
on October 3, 1789 and entitled "General Thanksgiving," the decree appointed
the day "to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many
and signal favors of Almighty God."
While there were
Thanksgiving observances in America both before and after Washington's
proclamation, this represents the first to be so designated by the new
national government.
After their first
harvest, the colonists of the Plymouth Plantation held a celebration of
food and feasting in the fall of 1621. Indian chiefs Massassoit, Squanto
and Samoset joined in the celebration with ninety of their men in the three-day
event.
The first recorded
Thanksgiving observance was held on June 29, 1671 at Charlestown, Massachusetts
by proclamation of the town's governing council.
During the 1700s,
it was common practice for individual colonies to observe days of thanksgiving
throughout each year. A Thanksgiving Day two hundred years ago was a day
set aside for prayer and fasting, not a day marked by plentiful food and
drink as is today's custom. Later in the 18th century each of the states
periodically would designate a day of thanksgiving in honor of a military
victory, an adoption of a state constitution or an exceptionally bountiful
crop.
Such a Thanksgiving
Day celebration celebration was held in December of 1777 by the colonies
nationwide, commemorating the surrender of British General Burgoyne at
Saratoga.
Later, on October
3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for the
observance of the fourth Tuesday of November as a national holiday.
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