Thanksgiving 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 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 forms of Almighty God, especially a form of government for their safety and happiness; NOW THEREFORE I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty sixth 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 Beneficial Author of all the good that was 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; 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  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, AND to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among us; GIVEN under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1789.”      -- George Washington (1732-1799)