Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-20
THANKSGIVING DAY
SET ASIDE in 1889
Proclamation by Washington,
Now in Library, Lost More
Than Century.

The first national day Of Thanksgiy-
| ing In the United States was celebrated
on Thursday, November %, 1889, and
in its honor George washington issued
! O proclamation on October 8 of that
year. The historic document was lost
for more than century and was pur-
chased in 1921 by the Library Of Con-
gress for $500. There 1t now rests-a
| priceless heritage of thankful people.
The George Washington Bicenten-
NAL Commission today made public the
story Of the lost proclamation signed
by the Father of His Country. Rep
resentative Elias Boudinot of New Jer-
sey introduced In the House on Sep
TENDER IS, 1889, a resolution urging a
committee of Congress to wait upon
President Washington and request
that he would recommend to the peo-
pie of the United States q day of pub
lie Thanksgiving and prayer, to be OBJ
served by acknowledging with grateful
hearts the many signal favors of Al
mighty God, especially by affording
them an opportunity. TO establish q
Constitution of Government for their
safety and happiness"
Objections were voiced against the
passage Of this resolution. It was
viewed as . European imitation. It
was argued that Congress had no bust
ness asking for national day Of
thanksgiving. 1t was commended that
the people might want to see how the
Constitution worked out before they
returned thanks for 1t. Despite these
OBJECTIONS, however, the resolution
passed both House and Senate, q Joint
committee was named and in response
TO the request. President washington
issued the proclamation
Bought for $S0e.
Then, for more than hundred
f1cial eyes. It bobbed ul,atsan auction
sale in 1921, and DR.. j. q. Fitzpatrick
then assistant chief Of the Manuscripts
Division Of the Library of Congress, and
now editor Of the forthcoming George
washington Bicentennial Commission
Series Of Washington Writings, pro-
cured the proclamation for $500.
The proclamation was written in
longhand by william Jackson, secretary
to President Washington. The Massa-
chusetts Bay Colony in its earliest days
celebrated @ Thanksgiving Day and
from that section of the Nation the
custom spread In addition to being
the first presidential proclamation, the
washington document Is the first ma
tional Thanksgiving call--a custom that
has been followed by occupants Of the
White House for generations.
First ProcIamasIon.
President Washington'a THANKSGIVING
proclamation follows:
by the President Of the United
States Of America.
Whereas it Is the duty Of all nations
to acknowledge the providence of Az
mighty God. TO obey His will, 20. be
grateful for His benefits and humbly
to fmplore His protection and favor
ana whereas both Houses Of Congress
have by their joint committee requested
me to recommend to the people Of the
United States day Of public thanks.
giving and prayer. to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts the
many signal favors of Almighty God.
especially by affording them an oppor-
tunity TO establish q form of govern
unent for their safety and happiness
wow, therefore, do recommend and
assign Thursday. the 26th day Of
November next, TO be devoted By the
people Of these States 10 the service Of
that great and glorious Being who q
the bene6centr Author of all the good
that was. that IL, or that win be-
That we may then all unite in render