Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

George WashingtonAndrew pulled this out and had us read it as a family this week. It's Washington's official declaration of the first national day of Thanksgiving from 1789 and I thought you might also enjoy it, Happy Thanksgiving.

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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 favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requsted 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 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 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 enabled 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 favours 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 shewn kindness unto 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 day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

George Washington

16 comments:

Robin said...

Happy Thanksgiving Michelle. May your table and your heart always be full.

RoeH said...

Very interesting. I've never read that before. Have a wonderful day.

Summer said...

Thanks for posting this. I'd never read it before.

Pam said...

Thank you - very interesting. Wishing your family a very happy Thanksgiving.

Shelly Wildman said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Michelle!

Lori said...

And here I thought it was Lincoln from inception! Thanks for the History update and Happy Thanksgiving!

Translator Chicago said...

I wish you all the happiest of Thanksgiving holidays, thanking God for all of the blessings that come our way.

CountessLaurie said...

Amen! May God bless you and yours this Thanksgiving!

BONNIE K said...

This was interesting. A nice reminder of what started it all. Enjoy your holiday.

Carinne said...

Interesting how a speech like that today would insight anger and protests for combining church and state. Its a good reminder to all that this country was founded by men of faith and built with a belief in God. The founding fathers understood that we needed God in our country and in our government. Many people today need to remember that....

Nancy A. from Two Mountains said...

Happy Thanksgiving to your and your family !! Ours has come and gone (here in Two Mountains) but yours is kind of more appropriate considering my husband has finally found work. He begins next week!! After 6 long months of no income (he's a consultant), he's finally found a long-term contract. We're very thankful today. All the best to you, your family and your loyal Scribbit readers.

Discount coupons said...

Happy thanks giving to all.............

threesidesofcrazy said...

Happy Thanksgiving Michelle. I hope you had a wonderful family day.

How great is it that you shared this and the dates actually match too.

page2 said...

I have never read that before. I want to share it with my family. We need to incorporate prayer into our Thanksgiving celebration more than we do. Thank you for posting this.

I'll bet a speech like this from one of modern politicians wouldn't go over well. It's sad.

Santa Monica Computer Repairs said...

Wow. I've never read that before. Very cool to see the humble beginnings that seem to get lost among the materialistic hoopla. Thanks for sharing.

ParkerMama said...

Happy belated Thanksgiving. You are very blessed!