George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

The General, himself. | October 3 1789 | George Washington

[golux]

Transcript of President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation from October 3, 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—for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us—and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

[golux]

A family tradition to read this in the golux household, before our Hebrew prayers. May you and yours, and all who love these United States of America, enjoy a meaningful Thanksgiving.

[Altura Ct.]

God Bless George Washington. If it weren’t for men like him, what we call America today would be something totally different and not in a good way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[crz]

We are no longer a Nation under God.

We have believers and individuals who are believers within. But the nation as a whole, is godless.

It can not stand.

[jjotto]

Exactly

There are scattered ‘righteous’ individuals, but America as an entity is done.

[tflabo]

Oh to have a nation full of such wisdom as written from the first and greatest President. How far the nation has fallen.

[Deo volente]

First of all, it’s a wonderful document, but didn’t you know George Washington was a wealthy white supremacist who didn’t have much to do with black folks? And the Democrat Party got rid of God at their convention a few years ago, so let’s not hear any more talk about Him.
I remember when they voted God out of their platform. We should be grateful instead that Big Brother Biden has our best interests at heart and that he beat that bad Orange dude.

/sarc

[Izzatso]

First of all, it’s a wonderful document, but didn’t you know George Washington was a wealthy white supremacist who didn’t have much to do with black folks?

He gave his slaves Thanksgiving Day off, so lighten up.

[golux]

Oh, sure, there are plenty of nutballs in America.

There were fools and cads even among the colonists... And lots of them! Let’s not over-romanticize our past. Democrats have always stolen elections, for instance, and many Republicans have, too. Remember Tammany Hall? Or what about Lincoln? He was no angel. The last slaves were freed in New Jersey, after the end of the war. The “Emancipation Proclamation” only freed Southern slaves. And yes, politicians have always tried to buy votes with free crap.

Of course we have strayed far from our lights. My personal belief is that we are still paying the price for having imported slaves. Then again, some say immigration, like that of my own grandfather, is what did us in. And here we are, addicted to cheap crap from China.

At the same time, there is still much, and many fine souls, that make America great. We are still the Shining City on the Hill...

Which is why y’all haven’t left.