The Founder’s Blog
11/17/2011
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…
Read President Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation at The Founder’s Blog.
Also, at The Founder’s Blog, The Response to President Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving Proclamation: Sermon by Rev. Thomas Baldwin
