The First Thanksgiving
Proclamation ,
1789
BY THE PRESIDENT George
Washington OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
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 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 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 twenty-sixth 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 service and humble Thanks for His kind Care and Protection
of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation.
AND ALSO, That we may the 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...