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National NewsConservative News
Thanksgiving Proclamations
By Gary Palmer
Posted on: November 19, 2005
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday in that it brings to the forefront the undeniable link between Christianity and America.
Most of us automatically think of the Pilgrims and their thanksgiving. But Thanksgiving as a national observance was established years later in 1789, when President George Washington issued a presidential proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving.
Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations were issued each year until 1816, with none thereafter until President Abraham Lincoln took office and called for a day of Thanksgiving in 1862. Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations have been issued every year since.
Some of the most powerful and meaningful words regarding our dependence on Almighty God can be found in these Thanksgiving proclamations, especially those that were written at times when the nation was facing great difficulties and dangers. Severe trials, whether caused by war or a national calamity caused by nature, can humble even the most self-assured leaders and sometimes cause even the most cynical to look for consolation and strength from sources beyond themselves.
President Lincoln found himself in perhaps the most severe circumstances ever faced by our nation. In 1862, in the midst of the War Between the States, Lincoln called for a national day of Thanksgiving and in 1863 he issued two proclamations calling for a day of Thanksgiving. It was the second proclamation, issued in October, calling for a national day of Thanksgiving that permanently established Thanksgiving as a national observance.
Lincoln's second proclamation listed the manifold blessings bestowed upon the nation even after two-and-a-half years of the bloodiest war in our nation's history. Despite the ravages of war the nation had been blessed materially. Despite the enormous death toll, the nation's population had continued to increase. And despite the fact that the nation was divided against itself, no foreign nation had attempted to invade our shores.
Lincoln wrote, "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."
In the 20th Century particularly, many of our presidents, faced with the trials and tribulations of war, issued proclamations that should have great meaning for us today as we once again find our safety and security in peril.
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Thanksgiving proclamation called upon the American people to give thanks for "…the preservation of our way of life from the threat of destruction; for the unity of spirit which has kept our Nation strong; for our abiding faith in freedom; and for the promise of an enduring peace… and for a multitude of private blessings, known only in our hearts, we should give united thanks to God."
President Roosevelt's proclamation concluded with, "To the end that we may bear more earnest witness to our gratitude to Almighty God, I suggest a nationwide reading of the Holy Scriptures during the period from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas."
There have been many other Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations that capture the essence of our national day of Thanksgiving. But none capture it quite as well as the words, not of a president, but of a general.
Gen. Jonathan Wainwright was the commander of the U.S. forces that surrendered to the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942. Gen. Wainwright, the highest ranking American POW in World War II, was forced to endure the brutal Bataan Death March and remained in Japanese captivity until the end of the war.
In Seattle, Washington, on November 22, 1945, only about three months after his release from a Japanese POW camp, Gen. Wainwright was asked to give a Thanksgiving prayer. Wainwright prayed, "Oh, God, our Father, today we give Thee thanks for the things we take for granted, for freedom, for security of life, for food and shelter, and the presence of loved ones…. We thank Thee that once again men may have hope, opportunity to work and plan for a better future, a chance to secure peace, and an ampler life for themselves and their children.
"Keep us humble in the day of victory, make us wise in the presence of great problems, strong and brave in the face of any danger, and sympathetic and generous as we face the appalling need of a war-torn world.
"In gratitude for all those who paid the price of victory we now ask Thy guidance as we dedicate ourselves to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion. Lord of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget!"
This Thanksgiving, it would be good to reflect on the words of Gen. Wainwright and humbly give thanks for the blessings that God has bestowed upon us as a nation, blessings we so often take for granted. His prayer and the words of Lincoln and Roosevelt are a good reminder that many of our Thanksgiving observances have been called during times of our nation's greatest struggles. It seems that it has been at these times that we have been the most sincerely thankful for God's blessings and mercy.
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