George Washington's Thanksgiving
What the Father of our Country Says About our November Holiday
There are several holidays on the American calendar bearing religious origins. Thanksgiving is the only one that specifically calls us to pray.
This week, millions of Americans will eat turkey and stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, corn, lima beans (sadly), and pumpkin pie (preferably with lots of whipped cream on top). Thanksgiving is one of the most enjoyable holidays of the year, with Americans loving to eat and spending time with family and friends. Oh, and of course, catching the football games - which always involve the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions.
Of course, Thanksgiving didn't just come about, because people liked to eat. If that were the standard, every day of the year would be a holiday. (Perhaps not a bad idea). Thanksgiving started as a call to action - a day set aside for us to do something very specific. A hint: the American Civil Liberties Union doesn't like it.
Celebrate Thanksgiving - the George Washington Way
While the tradition of Thanksgiving stretches back to the Pilgrims and Governor William Bradford, it did not become an officially sanctioned day of observance until 1789 - the first year that America's government operated under the newly-ratified Constitution of the United States.
It was in November of 1789 that President George Washington issued a proclamation of a nation-wide day of thanksgiving. The purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday couldn't have been more clear and more (shall we say "politically incorrect"). The entire proclamation is provided below for you to read. This way, you can see the full context. Read it carefully and consider its meaning.
"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 favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me 'to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK 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 eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness':
"NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice 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 fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.
"GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine."
"Lord and Ruler of Nations"? "Great and Glorious Being"? It's our duty to "obey" God? Man, oh, man! Were George W. Bush to issue a similarly worded proclamation today, he would be lambasted by secularists and liberals as being "intolerant" and violating the constitutional "separation of church and state." Unfortunately, no liberal was around to tell George Washington, who of course presided over the Constitutional Convention, that he was in violation of the Constitution. What a shame.
But, oh of course, the "separation of church and state" was in the First Amendment, which was added as part of the Bill of Rights AFTER the original Constitution was written. Thus, we can excuse Washington for his ignorance.
Except....
The very same Congress that approved the First Amendment (which includes the establishment clause and the free exercise clause - interpreted by our Supreme Court in the 20th century to constitute a "wall of separation" between "church and state") was the same Congress that asked Washington to proclaim this day of Thanksgiving.
And...wouldn't you know it? George Washington supported the First Amendment as part of the Bill of Rights package to the Constitution AND also supported Thanksgiving. So, somehow, he didn't think there was a conflict. Interesting.
So...Happy Thanksgiving!
As you feast and fellowship this Thanksgiving, don't forget what the holiday is really all about. It's not "Turkey Day." It's about giving thanks - and the one who should receive the most thanks from you is God.
If you don't agree, take it up with George Washington!
