In 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation that instituted the first national observance of Thanksgiving. Hear the inspiring words of that proclamation on this special Thanksgiving edition of Home School Heartbeat with Michael Farris.
Michael Farris:
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 . . .
Now therefore, I do . . . assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of . . . the beneficent [A]uthor 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 the . . . manifold mercies [which we experienced] 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 civil and religious liberty . . . 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 . . . 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; . . . and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
