Presidential Documents

74605 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 230 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8606 of November 23, 2010 

Thanksgiving Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity 

to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people 

and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims 

and the Wampanoag tribe—who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years—in an autumn harvest feast 

centuries ago. This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and 

contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the 

early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our 

Nation’s heritage. We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join 

in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year’s bounties and blessings. 

Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when 

we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads 

in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation. Amidst 

the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George 

Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country. 

In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in 

doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling 

for ‘‘the Almighty hand’’ to heal and restore our Nation. 

In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from 

the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take 

comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land. 

As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the 

next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, 

for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember 

that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by 

the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots 

are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their 

families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice. 

This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs 

of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness 

and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow 

citizens weather the storms of our day. 

As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us 

rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that 

mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts 

of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges 

with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 

25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people 

of the United States to come together—whether in our homes, places of 

worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and 

neighbors—to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to 


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74606 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 1, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share 

our bounty with others. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third 

day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–30299 

Filed 11–30–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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