Proclamations for the Soul of the Nation

On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln reinvigorated the tradition of the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Lincoln selected a date precisely 74 years after President George Washington had inaugurated the Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. Like the first President, Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a day for Americans to give thanks. Unlike the founding father, Lincoln was unable to speak of the immeasurable blessing of a nation at peace. Instead, he ex

On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln reinvigorated the tradition of the Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation. Lincoln selected a date precisely 74 years after President George Washington had inaugurated the Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. Like the first President, Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a day for Americans to give thanks. Unlike the founding father, Lincoln was unable to speak of the immeasurable blessing of a nation at peace. Instead, he ex…