Happy Thanksgiving: George Washington’s Proclamation About Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers. Idaho Dispatch would like to thank you especially for all of your support in helping us grow!

This year, Idaho Dispatch wanted to share with you the proclamation given by President George Washington on October 3rd, 1789 about a day of thanks to God for the blessings of living in America and establishing our republic.

Here is Washington’s address in full:

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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 tranquillity, 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 shewn 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 encrease 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.

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

Thank you again to all of our supporters and for sharing, donating, and subscribing to our work.

As we head into the end of the year, our goal is to bring you even more political news next year. Idaho Dispatch is doing all we can to give you the news that you deserve in a way that is not how the mainstream media does their news.

Have a great day and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Idaho Dispatch Staff