This week we shall gather around our tables for a feast, but how far does Thanksgiving go back in the United States?
Well, all the way back to the 1600s. It originally began with the Pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth Rock. Being ill equipped for the winter before them, they suffered through the harsh cold and sicknesses that took hold killing close to half of their colony. With their faith in God and help from the Natives they had a plentiful harvest the following year and set aside three days to give thanks to God for their provisions.
Fast forward a hundred years, the United States had just become a nation. The government had been established by our founding fathers, and they all felt compelled to make an official day of Thanksgiving. Both houses agreed to the resolution and passed it along to the President for his approval - the President was George Washington.
His words were in his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789:
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
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 - and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested 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 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 26th 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...
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington
With the struggles and victory of the Revolutionary War behind them, the establishing of a new nation before them, our pioneering founders established a day of Thanksgiving to celebrate and appreciate the faithfulness of a Creator involved in the affairs of men.
With this tidbit of American History, Navarre Vacation Rentals at Kilgore Realty is wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
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