November 26, 1789
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 and 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 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 enable 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 has 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 show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, 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 of October, in the year of our Lord 1789.
(signed) G. Washington
Comments (7)
Thanks for posting this, Paul.
Posted by Beth Impson | November 26, 2009 12:20 PM
Ditto.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by just passing by | November 26, 2009 1:56 PM
Amen. That's the kind of establishment of religion we need a lot more of.
I can't restrain myself from noting the Book of Common Prayer reference. The phrase "true religion and virtue" comes from the prayer for the rulers in the prayer for the whole state of Christ's Church:
In Washington's time, I believe the wording was "truly and indifferently administer justice."
Posted by Lydia | November 26, 2009 2:13 PM
My understanding is that Lincoln, during the Civil War, dedicated the fourth Thursday of every November as a day of Thanksgiving, as well. How many of these Thanksgiving Day proclamations have we?
Honestly
(And, AMEN to them all)
Posted by rufus | November 26, 2009 8:56 PM
And guess who it was that tried to move Thanksgiving earlier to extend the shopping season?
Hope everyone had a blessed day!
Posted by Chris Floyd | November 28, 2009 10:31 AM
Re Chris Floyd's post:
I was listening to the old Jack Benny Show the other day on XM Radio Classics, and they were making jokes about "the two Thanksgivings." And I was thinking to myself, "What are they talking about, 'two Thanksgivings?'"
Now I know.
Posted by George R. | November 28, 2009 7:54 PM
Re George R.'s comments and Chris Floyd's post:
How funny; I was just listening to that episode of Jack Benny as I was driving to see my sister for Thanksgiving, and was thoroughly perplexed myself. Interesting, interesting.
Posted by Brandon | November 28, 2009 10:35 PM