America has observed a day, or days, of thanks to God before colonies were established. People recognized the fact that God provided for their needs and safety through the year. George Washington was the first President to establish it as a national holiday and Abraham Lincoln set it on the last Thursday of November "as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."
Thanksgiving
Harry Truman
1946 Thanksgiving Message
At this season, when the year is drawing to a close, tradition suggests and our hearts require that we render humble devotion to Almighty God for the mercies bestowed upon us by His goodness.
Devoutly grateful to Divine Providence for the richness of our endowment and the many blessings received, may we continue to give a good account of our stewardship by utilizing our resources in the service of mankind. May we have the vision and courage to accept and discharge honorably the responsibilities inherent in our strength by consecrating ourselves to the attainment of a better world.
I call upon the people of this Nation to observe that day by offering thanks to God for the bounties vouchsafed us, and by rededicating ourselves to the preservation of the “Blessings of Liberty” envisaged by our forefathers in the preamble to the Constitution.
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