“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…”
President George Washington
Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 3, 1789
On October 3, 1789, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation in United States history. (Click here for entire Proclamation). Thus began a national holiday that has been celebrated during times of war and peace, in times of plenty and in times of hardship. America has never stopped giving thanks to Almighty God for her abundant blessings.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember that the Source of all our amazing liberties is God.
In recent years, U.S. Supreme Court decisions have interpreted that the Establishment Clause in the Bill of Rights requires a separation of church and state; consequently, many public acknowledgments of God have been declared unconstitutional. This is an erroneous interpretation of the Founding Fathers’ intent: on the same day they reached final agreement on the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers asked President Washington to proclaim “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God.”
So on this Thanksgiving Day, as you gather with family and friends, please thank God for this great Nation and for our amazing liberties; ask that He forgive our national sins and continue to bless America. Pray for the safe return of our men and women placed in harm’s way in distant lands defending the liberties we enjoy here at home.