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THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION 1789

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, request 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 and 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 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 has been pleased to 
confer upon us. 

And also that we may then unite to most humbly affirm 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 to 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 3rd day of October, 
A.D. 1789 

Signed, 

George Washington