In 1621, when only about one-third of the colonists had survived the severe winter, the Wampanoag Indians, under chief Massasoit, taught the settlers how to plant corn. They were blessed with a bountiful harvest. A great, three-day celebration followed, supplied primarily by Wampanoag gifts of turkeys, ducks, geese and deer. Two years later, when Massasoit fell ill, Pilgrim families helped nurse him back to health.
Years later, while George Washington was camping at Valley Forge, he prayed for help and saw God’s answer when the French sent military assistance. Washington called for a day of thanksgiving among his troops. Still later, in 1789, President Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving, November 26, as “a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer in gratitude for God’s allowing the American people to establish a form of government so conducive to their safety and happiness.”
The Day of Thanksgiving continued through the presidencies of Washington and John Adams. However, when Thomas Jefferson opposed such a day, the national observance fell into oblivion until Abraham Lincoln reactivated it in 1863 on the last Thursday in November. Between 1939 and 1941 President F.D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November, but Congress later restored the fourth Thursday date, where the holiday has remained since. The Canadian government established the second Monday of October as their national Day of Thanksgiving.
Years later, while George Washington was camping at Valley Forge, he prayed for help and saw God’s answer when the French sent military assistance. Washington called for a day of thanksgiving among his troops. Still later, in 1789, President Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving, November 26, as “a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer in gratitude for God’s allowing the American people to establish a form of government so conducive to their safety and happiness.”
The Day of Thanksgiving continued through the presidencies of Washington and John Adams. However, when Thomas Jefferson opposed such a day, the national observance fell into oblivion until Abraham Lincoln reactivated it in 1863 on the last Thursday in November. Between 1939 and 1941 President F.D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November, but Congress later restored the fourth Thursday date, where the holiday has remained since. The Canadian government established the second Monday of October as their national Day of Thanksgiving.
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