| Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. Right? Well, | | | | THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER |
| not exactly. | | | | next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to |
| Okay, Thanksgiving is a time to have | | | | GOD for all his mercies. |
| reenactments of the Pilgrims at the first | | | | In those earlier times, states had far more |
| thanksgiving in Plymouth Colony in 1621. Right? | | | | independence than now. This proclamation was |
| Actually, no, the harvest festival of the Pilgrims | | | | not binding on all states. As a result not all |
| was in gratitude for the less than fifty-percent | | | | celebrated and of those that did, some celebrated |
| who survived the first winter in a new land. Those | | | | on a day other than November 28. |
| that survived did so chiefly because of the | | | | New York was the first state to make |
| compassion of the Native-Americans. The | | | | Thanksgiving a legal holiday (1817). By the Civil |
| celebration of the Pilgrim's feast of thanksgiving | | | | War most states celebrated Thanksgiving a state |
| came later. | | | | holiday. |
| It most definitely was not the reason for our | | | | But, remember, this was still an occasion to give |
| current holiday. | | | | thanks to God for His provision, mercy and |
| Okay, okay, Thanksgiving was a holiday started | | | | guidance, not to celebrate the harvest feast of |
| after some war, probably World War One or | | | | the Pilgrims (remember that came later). |
| Two. Right? | | | | Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving |
| Almost right. It was a war, our first as a nation. | | | | Proclamation in 1863 that there should be a |
| On October 11, 1782, mere months before the | | | | national day on the last Thursday in November. |
| end of the American Revolution, the Continental | | | | He issued this proclamation after three and |
| Congress issued a proclamation for a day of | | | | one-half years of bloodshed and sorrow. Since |
| giving thanks. The Congress expressed in their | | | | that day each sitting president has issued a |
| document that they were mindful of God's hand | | | | Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. |
| on their behalf in the war of independence from | | | | In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt declared that |
| monarchial rule. The establishment of a nation of | | | | Thanksgiving would be on the third Thursday in |
| self-ruled individuals was, indeed, cause for | | | | November. In 1941 Congress approved that |
| gratitude. | | | | declaration. |
| The Congress chose November 28, 1782 as the | | | | In 2007, President George Bush issued his |
| date. Congress recommended that all thirteen | | | | Thanksgiving Proclamation referring back to the |
| states give thanks on this day for the creation of | | | | original one issued by the Continental Congress in |
| the new nation and for God's hand in it. Further, | | | | 1782: |
| they stated that all pray, give cheerful obedience | | | | "Our country was founded by men and women |
| to His laws and practice true religion. True religion | | | | who realized their dependence on God and were |
| in Biblical terms is care of widows, orphans and to | | | | humbled by His providence and grace." |
| keep oneself pure from evil practices. | | | | What should you be grateful for this |
| The proclamation read in part: | | | | Thanksgiving? Consider this: The fact that we as |
| We do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of | | | | a nation have been preserved for over 230 |
| these States in general, to observe, and request | | | | years, in spite of wars, depression, disease, |
| the several States to interpose their authority in | | | | dissent and difficulty. What a way to celebrate! |
| appointing and commanding the observation of | | | | |