President Washington made a proclamation on Oct 3, 1789 that Nov. 26 would be set aside "to be observed acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God."
In the 1671, Charlestown recorded a Thanksgiving observance, but it's not clear to what extent Thanksgiving traditions really began. A colonial, during the 1700's, might have multiple days of Thanksgiving, but they were days full of prayer and ... are you ready? ... FASTING. In 1863 President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a National Holiday, on the 4th Thursday in November. In 1939 President FD Roosevelt changed it to the third Thursday to extend Christmas shopping. Two years later he changed it back.
Today we sit in relative comfort, free from threats of invading armies, and reasonably assured that we've got a handle on our national security and our freedoms. Thank God for the United States, thank the Constitution for shouting out our rights as individuals, and thank the United States Military for your relative security.
As you sit and watch the Detroit Lions (watch them probably lose, but this Falcon fan will actually root for them to pull out a victory in the national spotlight...Detroit needs it more than anyone else right now), parades, while you eat your share of Turkey and all of the fixings, please consider how much you have to be thankful for in your own life, and as a member of the greatest nation that has ever blessed this earth.
I'll leave you with an excerpt from George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation from Oct 3, 1789.
"I do recommend and assign Thursday, the Twenty-Sixth 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.
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And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to redner our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect adn guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge adn practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
-- President George Washington, October 3, 1789. New York.
Imagine if we had leaders with the courage and conviction to praise God for our good fortune! The condemnation would be swift from the mainstream press, but true leadership rises above that. As we approach the primaries for the mid-term elections, and the primaries for 2012, look to leaders that exude that much confidence. It may be like finding a needle in a haystack, but it will serve us well as a nation. Sphere: Related Content
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I believe in the 1st Amendment. Say whatever you want. If you're a moron, I may point that out...if I have time. :P