Given By
GEORGE WASHINGTON
October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the
providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits,
and humbly implore His protection and favor and whereas both houses of
Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people
of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God
especially by affording them an opportunity peaceable to establish a form of
government for their safety and happiness.
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the
26th 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 benefit author of all the
good that was, that is, or that will be … 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 protect and guide all sovereigns and nations to promote the knowledge and
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.
