Proclamation · 1789

Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

At the request of both houses of Congress, President Washington recommended that Americans devote Thursday, November 26, 1789, to public thanksgiving and prayer. He gave thanks for the peaceable establishment of constitutional government, “particularly the national One now lately instituted,” and for civil and religious liberty, and asked Americans to pray that the national government would be one of “wise, just, and constitutional laws.”

“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…”

George Washington, October 3, 1789

Why it matters

The first thanksgiving proclamation issued under the Constitution, it set a precedent for later presidents, though Thanksgiving did not become an annual national observance until Lincoln’s proclamation of 1863.

Read the full text at founders.archives.gov

Primary Source

The original record, reproduced or linked from the institution that holds it. Primary sources show what people said and did in their own words.

Subjects

founding thanksgiving faith presidency

From the library

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