Transcript for 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 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 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
Camp Constitution wishes all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving