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In September 1789, Congress asked President George Washington 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 peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.” Washington complied, and in early October sent a proclamation to the governors of the states. The proclamation asked the governors to make Thursday, November 26 a day of Thanksgiving, saying it “is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty...

General Thanksgiving By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION 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 to implore His protection and favour; 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 single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a...

“And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People?We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But...

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America September 11, 2001, was etched into America's memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive. Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We are confronting terrorism...

Parents' Day, 2008 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Parents teach their children timeless values to help them make the most of life's opportunities and overcome its challenges. On Parents' Day, we pay tribute to the parents who provide their children with guidance, support, and unconditional love and who help make our country a better place. Mothers and fathers are a source of stability and great comfort in society, and they have a vital obligation to love and care for their children. Through patient instruction and a loving example, they instill in children the principles...

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 – Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace. The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband's troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and...

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Americans of Scottish descent have made enduring contributions to our Nation with their hard work, faith, and values. On National Tartan Day, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and our way of life. Scotland and the United States have long shared ties of family and friendship, and many of our country's most cherished customs and ideals first grew to maturity on Scotland's soil. The Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence signed in 1320, embodied the Scots'...

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 to 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 and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now, therefore, I do...

Thanksgiving Proclamation [New York, 3 October 1789] By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 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 to 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...

President George Bush Proclaims September 24 Family Day 2007 WASHINGTON, DC, September 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The following text is a proclamation by President Bush: Families are the cornerstone of our Nation. On Family Day, we underscore our dedication to strengthening America's families and recognize the importance that the bonds between parents and children hold for the future of our country. Parents and family members are the first and most important influence in a child's life. Families offer a stable and nurturing environment by providing love, guidance, support, and comfort. They help young people gain the skills they need to...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2007 – President Bush is urging Americans to light candles and ring bells to honor terrorism victims and servicemembers during “National Days of Prayer and Remembrance” tomorrow through Sept. 9. Bush carved out the symbolic calendar days to encourage Americans to remember the 2,974 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and to reaffirm the global terror war’s foundation, according to a proclamation the White House released yesterday. “During this year's National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we honor the thousands of victims who died in the brutal and ruthless attacks in New York...

A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America During this year's National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we honor the thousands of victims who died in the brutal and ruthless attacks in New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Our Nation remembers with gratitude the firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary citizens who acted with courage and compassion to save the lives of others, and we pray for the families whose loved ones were taken from them. Never forgetting that terrible day, we remain determined to bring our enemies to justice,...

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A museum on Thursday unveiled a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, a document signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln declaring the end of slavery in the United States. The document is one of about 24 known copies to survive out of 48 that were originally printed. It was acquired on behalf of The National Constitution Center museum from an unnamed private collector. "This is one of the rarest, most valuable, most significant documents in history," president of the non-profit museum Joseph Torsella told a news conference. "With the possible exception of the Declaration of Independence,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2006 -- Since June 23, 1936, the last Sunday in September has been recognized as Gold Star Mother’s Day, thanks to Senate Joint Resolution 115. On Sept. 20, President Bush issued a proclamation declaring that, this year, Sept. 24 will be observed as Gold Star Mother's Day. “I call upon all government officials to display the flag of the United States over government buildings on this solemn day,” he said in the proclamation. “I also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our nation’s sympathy and...

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary September 7, 2006 Patriot Day, 2006 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America On the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, we recall the fire and horror at the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. America will always remember the thousands of innocent lives taken by the enemies of freedom that morning. In the face of these unspeakable attacks, we were reminded that the great strength of America is found in the hearts and souls of our citizens....

National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2006 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America This year, we mark the fifth anniversary of the brutal and ruthless terrorist attacks carried out against our Nation on September 11, 2001. We will always remember the thousands of lives lost, and the innocent men, women, and children forever changed by those acts of evil. During these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we honor the heroism of the police officers, firefighters, rescue personnel, members of the military, and private citizens who responded selflessly in the face of terror. We also...

National Maritime Day, 2006 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America The United States Merchant Marine plays an important role in ensuring our national security and strengthening our economy. As we celebrate National Maritime Day and the 70th anniversary of the Merchant Marine Act, we pay tribute to merchant mariners and their faithful service to our Nation. Since 1775, merchant mariners have bravely served our country, and in 1936, the Merchant Marine Act officially established their role in our military as a wartime naval auxiliary. During World War II, merchant mariners were critical to the delivery...

– This month we honor the extraordinary contributions of the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces. I am proud to serve alongside 2.4 million Americans in the Active, Guard and Reserve Force who have chosen to take the oath to defend our Constitution. Whether deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, or supporting humanitarian operations at home or abroad, today's military personnel continue to serve this Nation with honor and distinction. In a month honoring the military, it is only fitting that on the 12th of May we specifically recognize military spouses - our silent heroes. They...

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 11, 2006 Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2006 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Every day, our Nation's dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow Americans safe. As we observe Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, we pay tribute to the courageous men and women who have lost their lives protecting us, and we honor all those who wear the badge and keep the peace. The law enforcement officers of today carry on the long and proud...

Mecklenburg County commissioners Tuesday declared next week to be Confederate History Week after a debate over whether their proclamation would reopen Civil War wounds that are more than a century old. A bipartisan six-member majority, for the second year in a row, said the proclamation encourages reflection on history, and shouldn't be seen as an attempt to exclude any group. County Commissioner Wilhelmenia Rembert, the only one of three black Democrats on the board to vote for the proclamation, said she understands struggling with the symbolism of Confederate history. "I don't get to rewrite that history," she said. "What I...

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation To be an American is not a matter of blood or birth. Our citizens are bound by ideals that represent the hope of all mankind: that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our allegiance to our country and resolve to uphold the vision of our Forefathers. Our founding principles have endured, guiding our Nation toward progress and prosperity and allowing the United States to be a leader among nations of the world. Throughout...

Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and value. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we underscore our commitment to building a culture of life where all individuals are welcomed in life and protected in law. America is making great strides in our efforts to protect human life. One of my first actions as President was to sign an order banning the use of taxpayer money on programs that promote abortion overseas. Over the past 5 years, I also have been proud...

In honor of Hillary Clinton's "Let my people go!" rant at a MLK event in New York, I believe that President Bush issue the following: The Emancipation Proclamation- For House Democrats November 7, 2006 By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation. Whereas, on the nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand and six, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit: "That on the first Tuesday of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand and six, all persons...

Commemorating the day Thomas Jefferson declared religious freedom for all Americans, the nation today celebrates Religious Freedom Day as declared by President George Bush. "The right to religious freedom is a foundation of America," said Bush in his proclamation Friday. "Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of religion to a stable democracy, and our Constitution protects individuals' rights to worship as they choose." In 1786, Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, protecting the civil rights of people to express their religious beliefs without suffering discrimination. Now, 14 years after the first Religious Freedom Day proclamation by...

Editor, Times-Dispatch: As part of our Thanksgiving celebration this year I took the opportunity to read my family George Washington's Thanksgiving Day proclamation as printed on the Times-Dispatch Editorial Page. I made sure to emphasize Washington's reference to "the providence of Almighty God," and his request that we "all unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations." As I read his magnificent words, I was truly inspired by the expressive gazes in the eyes of my grandchildren upon hearing the nation's first President describe the significance of the hand of Almighty...

Anyone else see this auction? The Emancipation Proclamation SIGNED by Abraham Lincoln apparently there were about 100 of these made, is this real? going for 1.5 million right now (of course i cant afford it!)

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 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 to 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 peaceably to establish a form of...

Giving Thanks Though celebrated privately in homes, Thanksgiving is a public opportunity for Americans to bring the sacred into our lives. Our two greatest presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, understood this connection between the public and the private in their proclamations of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. They were proclaiming a holy day, a day for prayer and recognition of Almighty God's authority over man. Religious liberty is one of the blessings of constitutional government we must be thankful for. In this spirit, presidents, with the approval of Congress, have provided a public occasion for prayer—which is of...

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving. The holiday we know today as Thanksgiving was recommended to Lincoln by Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor. Her letters to Lincoln urged him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise." According to...

Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed for our liberty and for the security of our Nation. We express deep appreciation to our veterans -- the men and women who stepped forward when America needed them, triumphed over brutal enemies, liberated continents, and answered the prayers of millions around the globe. From the beaches of Normandy and the snows of Korea to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our courageous veterans have sacrificed so that Americans and others could live in freedom. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the end of...

Text of President Bush's Thanksgiving Day proclamation, as provided by the White House: Nearly half a century ago, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed Thanksgiving as a time when Americans should celebrate "the plentiful yield of our soil ... the beauty of our land ... the preservation of those ideals of liberty and justice that form the basis of our national life and the hope of international peace." Now, in the painful aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and in the midst of our resolute war on terrorism, President Eisenhower's hopeful words point us to our collective obligation to defend the ...

United Nations Day, 2005 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Sixty years ago, the United Nations was created to spread hope and liberty, fight poverty and disease, and help secure human rights and human dignity for people everywhere. On United Nations Day, we recommit ourselves to the ideals on which this organization was founded. Throughout history, the human spirit has been tested by the forces of darkness and evil. Since its founding in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations has worked to solve problems and harness the best instincts of humankind. Today,...

German-American Day, 2005 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America German Americans have played an important role in establishing America as a land where liberty is protected for all of its citizens. Each year on German-American Day, we celebrate the contributions the millions of Americans of German descent have made to our great Nation. Among the early German immigrants, many saw America as a beacon of religious freedom and an opportunity for an improved standard of living. German immigrants helped pioneer the first American colony at Jamestown. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg served as the first Speaker of...

Since July 4, 1776, Americans have experienced freedom's power to overcome tyranny, inspire hope in times of trial, and turn the creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace. Across generations, our Nation has defended and advanced liberty. The words of our Founding Fathers first guided a country of 4 million souls, yet they put large events in motion. When the Liberty Bell sounded at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, one who witnessed the birth of freedom in our country said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means...

President Bush's July Fourth proclamation: Since July 4, 1776, Americans have experienced freedom's power to overcome tyranny, inspire hope in times of trial, and turn the creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace. Across generations, our nation has defended and advanced liberty. The words of our Founding Fathers first guided a country of 4 million souls, yet they put large events in motion. When the Liberty Bell sounded at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, one who witnessed the birth of freedom in our country said, "It rang as if it meant something."...

During a discussion with minority leaders and journalists on Monday, Howard Dean declared that Republicans are “a pretty monolithic party. They all believe the same. They all look the same. It’s pretty much a white Christian party.” He further stated that “the Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people” and Democrats are “more welcoming to different folks, because that’s the type of people we are.” Dean continued to defend his remarks as recently as Thursday. Dean’s comments clearly suggest that the GOP is, if not hostile to a demographic broader than white Christians, at least cool toward...

Southern heritage buffs vow to use the Virginia gubernatorial election as a platform for designating April as Confederate History and Heritage Month. The four candidates have differing views on the Confederacy, an issue that has been debated for years in the commonwealth. "We're not just a few people making a lot of noise," said Brag Bowling, a spokesman for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the oldest hereditary organization for male descendents of Confederate soldiers. "This is not a racial thing; it is good for Virginia. We're going to keep pushing this until we get it." Each candidate recently shared his...

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 I send greetings to all those celebrating Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice and triumph over death, Christ lifted the sights of humanity forever. In His teachings, the poor have heard hope, the proud have been challenged, and the weak and dying have found assurance. Today, the words of Jesus continue to comfort and strengthen Christians around the world. During this holy season, we thank God for His blessings...

Emancipation Proclamation Goes on View New York Lawyer February 18, 2005 By Carl Hartman The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation declaring the end to slavery goes on public view Friday as part of Black History Month celebrations. The document will be on display at the National Archives, where visitors regularly see the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The poor quality of the paper and ink on the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation make it vulnerable to light, so it has been only occasionally brought out of storage. It was last seen on Jan. 19,...

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION: The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that all Americans are endowed by the Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the sacred gift of life. We have a responsibility in America to defend the life of the innocent and the powerless. Our Nation has made significant progress in recent years toward building a culture of life. Last year, I signed into law the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which provides that any person...

For Immediate Release December 23, 2004 Presidential Christmas Message, 2004 For 2,000 years, Christmas has proclaimed a message of hope: the patient hope of men and women across centuries who listened to the words of prophets and lived in joyful expectation; the hope of Mary, who welcomed God's plan with great faith; and the hope of wise men, who set out on a long journey guided only by a slender promise traced in the stars. Christmas reminds us that the grandest purposes of God can be found in the humblest places. And it gives us hope that all the...

Hanukkah 2004 Proclamation I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights. On the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, Jews around the world commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. During this time of darkness, the Temple had been seized, and Judaism had been outlawed. Judah Maccabee and his followers fought for three years for their freedom and successfully recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple. Jewish tradition teaches that the Maccabees found only one small bottle of oil to be used for temple rituals, but that oil lasted...

One would expect that in light of their recent Election Day trouncing, Democrat lefties, secular humanists, and disgruntled advocates of Christian abolition, might at least extend a feigned olive branch of understanding to those fanatical, pious, ''born-again'' red-stater types who were in great part, responsible for the Democratic Party’s ''inexplicable'' and ''unjust'' defeat. One would be wrong. In his 1789 Thanksgiving Day proclamation, George Washington declared, in part: ''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 to implore His protection and...

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day October 3, 1863 The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States...

WASHINGTON, November 24, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - US President George W. Bush publicly thanked God for His blessings upon the U.S. Tuesday: "We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for our families and friends, and grateful for the many gifts of America," he said, in a proclamation to the American people inaugurating Thanksgiving Day, 2004. "On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God," the president continued. "On Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of the American people. "And we give thanks for...

"It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, defending us with his guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad,..."

In some locales, school children are told by their teachers that they must not mention God if they speak in class listing those things for which they are thankful. Elsewhere, the ACLU and other groups continue their battle to expunge all trace of religion from the public sphere. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is worthwhile reading President George Washington’s original Thanksgiving Proclamation, from the year 1789. Once Thomas Jefferson became President, he discontinued the practice, deeming it too "kingly." But in 1863, the author of "Mary Had A Little Lamb", Sarah Josepha Hale, suggested President Lincoln resume the...

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 to implore His protection and favor.

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 to implore His protection and favour; 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 PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" NOW THEREFORE, I do...