Thanksgiving as an official public, national day of celebration goes back to the first President of the United States.
In November 1789, the first President of the United States issued a very non-politically correct proclamation on Thanksgiving. Follow the link to read it and let us know, in the discussion forum, if you agree or disagree with George Washington.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html
