This proclamation, made by President George W. Bush in the months after 9/11, discusses both the historical role played by Thanksgiving throughout previous difficult periods and gives thanks to the selfless actions of first responders during the terrorist attacks.
On September 28, 1789, just before leaving for recess, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. A few days later, President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a “Day of Publick Thanksgivin” – the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution. Subsequent presidents issued Thanksgiving Proclamations, but the dates and even months of the celebrations varied. It wasn’t until President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Proclamation that Thanksgiving was regularly commemorated each year on the last Thursday of November.
In the years since, though not a requirement, Presidential proclamations of Thanksgiving have served as an enduring tradition offering a unique look into the various struggles that were affecting Americans around this time of year. It is customary for each President to release a statement every year to officially acknowledge the nationwide celebration of the holiday.
