First Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington

October 3, 1789

A National Thanksgiving.  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 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 good that was, that is, or that will be...

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religon and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal properity as He alone knows to be best.