Evening star., 1944-11-02
Roosevelt ProcIaims
November 3 as
Thanksgiving Day
By the Associated Press.

BY tie Associated Press.
President Roosevelt today pro-
claimed November %, the fourth
/ Thursday of this month, as Thanks
giving Day, thus following the law
enacted by Congress December Is.
l94l Five States plan to observe
November 80. the last Thursday,
through local choice
In his annual proclamation, the
President called on the Nation to
read the Holy Scriptures from
Thanksgiving until Christmas in
thanking God for restoring freedom
to many millions in this year of
liberation" and for the promise of
an enduring peace
The complication of TWO Thanks
giving Days is continuing this year
despite congressional action to end
the Roosevelt experiment of an
earlier Thanksgiving started in 1899,
because this month has five Thurs
days.
Forty States and the District
of Columbia have fixed November
% for the holiday in line with the
Federal statute. but Florida, Idaho.
Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Vir-
ginia plan to observe November 30.
May Observe Both Dates.
In two States, Arkansas and
Georgia. there is possibility that
both dates will be recognized.
When the President first tried out
the week earlier date in 1889. many
Governors ignored the change and
fixed the traditional date, the fourth
or last Thursday in November, set
first by President Lincoln in 1864.
The 194l joint resolution approved
by Congress and the President fixed
the future date as the fourth Thurs
day. On top of this, many States
passed laws regarding the holiday.
Gov. Adkins of Arkansas was
about to proclaim November %
when it was discovered the Legisla-
ture had ordered the State to OBJ
serve the last Thursday in the
month. The result may be two
Thanksgiving because sporting and
other traditional events already
have been set for the earlier date
Georgia also has difficulties. The
State attorney general has upheld
the local statute setting the last
Thursday.
Text of the Presidents proclama-
ton:
In this year of liberation. which
has seen so many millions freed
from tyrannical rule, it is fitting
that we give thanks with special
fervor to our Heavenly Father for
the mercies we have received indi-
vidaullv and as Nation and for the
blessings sHe has restored, through
the victories of our arms and those
of our Allies, to his children in
other lands.
For the preservation of our way
of life from the threat of destruc-
ton, for the unity of spirit which
has kept our Nation strong. for our
abiding faith in freedom and for the
promise of an enduring peace. we
should lift up our hearts in Thanks
giving.
For the harvest that has sus-
tanned us and in its fullness brought
succor to other peoples, for the
bounty of our soil, which has pro-
duced the sinews of war for the
protection of our liberties, and for
a multitude of private blessings.
known only in our hearts, We should
give united thanks to God.
ITO the end that we may bear
more earnest witness to our graft
tude to almighty God. I suggest
Nationwide reading of the Holy
Scriptures during the period from
Thanksgiving Day to Christmas. Let
every man of every creed 60 to his
own version of the Scriptures for a
renewed and strengthening contact
with those eternal truths and ma
jestic principles which have inspired
such measure of true greatness as
this Nation has achieved.
Now. therefore, I, Franklin D.
Roosevelt, President of the United
States of American, in consonance
with the joint resolution of the
Congress approved December 26,
1941, do hereby proclaim Thursday.
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