Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

There is a common misconception as to the origins of our annual Thanksgiving Day celebrations. It’s often believed that we celebrate Thanksgiving as an ode to the Pilgrims coming together with the Native Americans and giving thanks for a bountiful fall harvest. There is a degree of truth to this, but reality is that Thanksgiving Day didn’t become a celebrated national holiday until 1863 under the directive of President Abraham Lincoln. The purpose was to set aside a day of thankful remembrance to honor almighty God.

It’s no surprise that an increasingly secular and pluralistic society, promulgates the former with almost no mention of latter. When I was kid in (public) school for example, I remember making handprint turkeys, drawings of cornucopias, and re-enactments of a Pilgrim/Native feast. But, never once was I taught about Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation or the true meaning of Thanksgiving, which is Glory to God in the highest and gratitude for His tender mercy.

Therefore, in honor of God almighty and in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, I present the Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 for your reading pleasure and enjoyment. May this serve as a testament to the true meaning of Thanksgiving.