Civil War origins, turkey-less first meal: 7 interesting facts about Thanksgiving

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Thursday, November 25, 2021

The first United States Thanksgiving (technically)

George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. | Public Domain

While serving as the first president of the United States, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation in October 1789, which designated Nov. 26 of that year as a day of Thanksgiving.

The proclamation noted that “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 favor.”

“I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be,” stated Washington’s proclamation.

Although technically being the first Thanksgiving proclamation, it did not establish a running annual tradition of November holidays, with Washington issuing a similar proclamation in February 1795 to celebrate the defeat of a tax revolt in Pennsylvania.