Thanksgiving Proclamation 1777 by the Continental Congress, which was
the first ever National Thanksgiving Proclamation:
IN CONGRESS
November 1, 1777
FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the
superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude
their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such
farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in
his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties
of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution
of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our
unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been
pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the
Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success:
It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of
these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of
December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and
with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of
their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine
Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and
Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins,
whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest
Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST,
mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may
please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these
States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To
inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with
that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under
the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the
greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may
please him, to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People, and the
Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take
Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the
Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand;
and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement
of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Righteousness, Peace and Joy
in the Holy Ghost."
And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation,
as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of
this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.
Read 1777 Thanksgiving Proclamation, the first
National Thanksgiving Proclamation, made by Continental Congress
here.