Thanksgiving Across the Generations
As we look ahead to America 250 next year – a milestone which invites reflection on our nation’s remarkable journey – I am reminded of the timeless wisdom of those who guided us through earlier tests of unity and purpose. While presidents dating back to George Washington in 1789 have recognized days of thanksgiving, President Lincoln was the first to proclaim the last Thursday in November as a national holiday. The tradition was continued by Lincoln’s successors, including Ulysses S. Grant, whose 1876 Thanksgiving Proclamation called Americans to gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to the common good. His words, offered after our first century as an independent nation, speak just as clearly as we now prepare to celebrate our 250th. With that spirit in mind, I share his proclamation this Thanksgiving as reminder of what still brings us together.
President Ulysses S. Grant
Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 26, 1876
From year to year we have been accustomed to pause in our daily pursuits and set apart a time to offer our thanks to Almighty God for the special blessings He has vouchsafed to us, with our prayers for a continuance thereof.
We have at this time equal reason to be thankful for His continued protection and for the many material blessings which His bounty has bestowed.
In addition to these favors accorded to us as individuals, we have especial occasion to express our hearty thanks to Almighty God that by His providence and guidance our Government, established a century ago, has been enabled to fulfill the purpose of its founders in offering an asylum to the people of every race, securing civil and religious liberty to all within its borders, and meting out to every individual alike justice and equality before the law.
It is, moreover, especially our duty to offer our humble prayers to the Father of All Mercies for a continuance of His divine favor to us as a nation and as individuals.
By reason of all these considerations, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend to the people of the United States to devote the 30th day of November next to the expression of their thanks and prayers to Almighty God, and, laying aside their daily avocations and all secular occupations, to assemble in their respective places of worship and observe such day as a day of thanksgiving and rest.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of October, A.D. 1876, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and first.