Today, we recall President George Washington, who proclaimed our first national day of public thanksgiving to be observed "by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God," and President Abraham Lincoln, who established our annual Thanksgiving Day to help mend a fractured Nation in the midst of civil war. We also recognize the contributions of Native Americans, who helped the early colonists survive their first harsh winter and continue to strengthen our Nation....Yesterday, in another Thanksgiving tradition, the President announced the "Pardoning of the National Turkey." Later he and his family were to deliver two other turkeys to a D.C. organization that fees the needy.
I encourage all the people of the United States to come together, whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place where family, friends and neighbors may gather, with gratitude for all we have received in the past year; to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own; and to share our bounty with others.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
President Issues Proclamation Declaring Thanksgiving Day 2009
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama signed the official Presidential Proclamation declaring today as a "National Day of Thanksgiving." It reads in part:
