Unlike the november 27, 1861 proclamation which only applied to dc, or the april 10, 1862 declaration which did not specify a single day, this proclamation established august 6 as a. Hale also played a very large role in making thanksgiving day, a annual national holiday. The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole american people. Shortly after lincoln s summer proclamation, hale wrote to both the president and secretary of state william seward, once again urging them to declare a national thanksgiving, stating that only. Now therefore, i, abraham lincoln, president of the united states, do hereby appoint and. For example, on november 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of. It was not until 1863, however, when lincoln issued his thanksgiving day proclamation that the holiday was established as a national annual event, occurring on the last thursday of november. Proclamation 106thanksgiving day, 1863 october 3, 1863 by the president of the united states of america a proclamation the year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
Abraham lincoln delivered this proclamation at the height of the american civil war in 1863. November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent father who dwelleth in the heavens. Hillsdale college was founded 1844 by men and women grateful to god for the inestimable blessings resulting from civil and religious liberty. President abraham lincolns proclamation of thanksgiving. It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of god. Transcript for president george washingtons thanksgiving proclamation from october 3, 1789 by the president of the united states of america, a proclamation. Franklin roosevelts proclamation of a day of thanksgiving. Now, therefore, i, abraham lincoln, president of the united states, do hereby appoint and set apart the last thursday in november next as a day which i desire to.
In the midst of the tragic civil war that caused so much death and destruction in america, president abraham lincoln proclaimed two special days. These words, written 156 years ago, are worth recalling in our own polarized times. In fact, no official thanksgiving proclamation was issued by any president between 1815 and the day lincoln took the. How the mother of thanksgiving lobbied abraham lincoln. Washington and madison each issued a thanksgiving proclamation once during their presidencies. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the united states, to set apart and observe the last thursday of november next, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent father who dwelleth in the heavens. This thanksgiving, hillsdale college gives thanks for the blessings of freedom, learning, and constitutional government. The thanksgiving day proclamation new york, october 3, 1789 on october 3, 1789, the nations first president under the constitution of the united states issued a proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving. In 1863, a year filled with pivotal historical events the emancipation proclamation, the union victories at gettysburg and vicksburg, and the gettysburg address abraham lincoln issued what has become known as the first annual thanksgiving proclamation.
Here is the text of his thanksgiving day proclamation, which established. No matter how much evil or suffering there is in the world, a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. Lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation by abraham lincoln a thanksgiving proclamation address given by abraham lincoln. Lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation abraham lincoln. In fact, lincoln issued his proclamation on the same day, october 3, and marked the same thanksgiving day, thursday, november 26, as washington, setting thanksgiving as the. Proclamation of thanksgiving this is the proclamation which set the precedent for americas national day of thanksgiving. For example, on november 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving. The president abraham lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation in 1864 is given here. Thanksgiving has been celebrated in the united states ever since.
Abraham lincolns thanksgiving day proclamation of 1863. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have. 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. The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the. The text of lincolns 1863 thanksgiving proclamation follows. The proclamation is too long to fit all of it on one printable, so this is an excerpt of one of my favorite parts. President abraham lincoln s thanksgiving day proclamation of october 3, 1863 presidential proclamation 106. Lincoln s other proclamation the creation of the first annual thanksgiving day tradition by zachary klitzman it was cold, windy, and rainy in washington, and the president was ill. Zoom in zoom out rotate right fit screen full expand. Continental congress thanksgiving proclamations 1778 1784 pdf. October 3, 1863 by the president of the united states a proclamation the year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
It was the irst national thanksgiving proclamation in the united states. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation articles revive our. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation obama white house. 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 favorand 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. Lincolns thanksgiving proclamation abraham lincoln he year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. Lincoln and thanksgiving lincoln home national historic. 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 favorand whereas both houses of congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people of the united states. President abraham lincolns thanksgiving day proclamation. It has pleased almighty god to prolong our national life.
President abraham lincoln s proclamation of thanksgiving issued, october 3, 1863 the year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. Thanksgiving proclamation, 1863 gilder lehrman institute. President lincoln and the thanksgiving proclamation theres plenty to be thankful for on thanksgiving, but one person is rarely thanked around the dinner table. You can get the free thanksgiving proclamation printable here or by clicking the image above.
A week earlier, abraham lincoln had delivered the gettysburg address after sitting outside for two hours listening to edward everett orate. The following is a proclamation from abraham lincoln on thanksgiving day, october 20, 1864. Abraham lincolns historic thanksgiving proclamation. Proclamation 106 thanksgiving day, 1863 october 3, 1863 by the president of the united states of america a proclamation. Transcript for president george washingtons thanksgiving. Proclamation 118thanksgiving day, 1864 the american. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving day proclamation fox news. The emancipation proclamation gets a lot of attention and rightfully so, but lincoln also paved the way for thanksgiving to become a federal holiday. Abraham lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation prayer 0. However stretched and strained our nation and our personal lives seem to be at times, surely it pales in comparison to the strains of the civil war that threatened to rip this nation asunder in the 1860s. The text of lincoln s 1863 thanksgiving proclamation follows. Roosevelt 1933 national thanksgiving day proclamation. The copy of lincoln s proclamation featured here was printed in harpers weekly on october 17, 1863, to help spread the word about the day of observance. By the president of the united states a proclamation the year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
George washington was first approached by members of the house of representatives to offer a national day of thanksgiving after. The history of thanksgiving, abraham lincoln, and the. Thanksgiving day 1933 by the president of the united states of america a proclamation. However, it was not until 1863 that abraham lincoln established the regular tradition of observing days of national thanksgiving. The creation of the first annual thanksgiving day tradition. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation on october 3, 1863, in the third fall of the civil war, president lincoln issued a proclamation. Lincolns thanksgiving day proclamation is a prayer for. Thanksgiving proclamation abraham lincoln abraham lincoln 180965 issued this proclamation for a day of national thanksgiving in 1863, in the midst of the civil war, not long after the battle of gettysburg and several other union successes seemed to have turned the tide toward a union victory. Lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation and thomas nasts illustration are available as pdf s. Abraham lincolns original thanksgiving proclamation is.
George washington, john adams, james madison thanksgiving day 1789 by the president of the united states of america a 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. The date on which thanksgiving was celebrated varied from state to state until president abraham lincoln issued a proclamation in october 1863, calling upon the entire nation to observe the. Proclamation by the president of the united states of american on blockade of confederate ports. Hale is known for her work as editor of godeys ladys book, and as the author of mary had a little lamb. The first thanksgiving proclamation in the united states. That person is abraham lincoln, and his connection to this american holiday may surprise you. Transcript for president abraham lincoln s thanksgiving proclamation from october 3, 1863. It was in the wake of those nine relentless, eventful months that lincoln, on oct. It was abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation of 1863 which officially made thanksgiving.
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. In fact, no official thanksgiving proclamation was issued by any president between 1815 and the day lincoln took the opportunity to thank the union army and god for a shift in the countrys. Harding, calvin coolidge, herbert hoover thanksgiving 1920 by the president of the united states of america a proclamation the season again approaches when it behooves us to turn from the distractions and preoccupations of our daily life, that we may. Abraham lincoln s thanksgiving day proclamation of 1863. Im sharing an excerpt of abraham lincoln s proclamation and its free. President lincoln s proclamation may have never been issued had it not been for sarah josepha hale. Abraham lincoln established it in the dark hours of the civil war. This is the proclamation which set the precedent for americas national day of thanksgiving. The national thanksgiving proclamation was the first formal proclamation of thanksgiving in. This is the text of the october 3, 1863 abraham lincoln national thanksgiving day proclamation. Roosevelt, president of the united states of america, do set aside and appoint. Thanksgiving proclamation abraham lincoln crossroads. Lincolns thanksgiving proclamation by abraham lincoln.
Lincoln and thanksgiving lincoln home national historic site. Proclamationday of national thanksgiving the american. Proclamation of thanksgiving president lincolns cottage. Taft in his thanksgiving proclamation released on november 7, 1912 on saturday, november 1, 1777, the second continental congress approved a declaration setting aside thursday, december 18, 1777, as a day for solemn thanksgiving and praise. During his administration, president lincoln issued many orders similar to this.
Lincoln, at the end of his october 20, 1864 thanksgiving proclamation, stated. Transcript for president abraham lincolns thanksgiving. Franklin roosevelts proclamation of a day of thanksgiving, 1933. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation of 1863 thanksgiving is the day when we gather around the table with our loved ones and relish a big feast, thanks to president abraham lincoln.
President lincoln proclaims official thanksgiving holiday history. On october 3, 1863, in the third fall of the civil war, president lincoln issued a proclamation. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we. As is our annual tradition, we reproduce the text below in commemoration of thanksgiving day, as penned by lincoln and his secretary of state, william seward. Transcript for president abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation from october 3, 1863 by the president of the united states a proclamation the year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. President lincoln proclaims official thanksgiving holiday.
By the president of the united states of america a proclamation. While subsequent presidents failed to maintain this tradition, it was washingtons original proclamation that guided abraham lincoln s 1863 thanksgiving proclamation. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the united states a day of public thanksgiving and. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation, 1863 twin. Lincoln issued another proclamation of thanksgiving in mid july 1863 in gratitude of the union victories at gettysburg and vicksburg two weeks prior. Transcript for president abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation from october 3. President lincoln issued his famous proclamation of thanksgiving, on oct. Abraham lincolns thanksgiving proclamation printable.
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