Written by guest columnist Llewelyn
Early settlers in the New World tended to be thankful for the chance to live a life of freedom and prosperity. Even today, legal immigrants express that only in America are they truly free to pursue their own peace and happiness and the opportunity to chase after their own dreams.
It seems that the least grateful are sometimes those who were born here, those who have never experienced life in other lands and nations. When one is given everything freely, with no hardship or sacrifice involved, there is a tendency to take everything for granted.
Most of us have ancestors that arrived in North America two or three or more generations ago. We hear the tales of those who arrived in The New World, in America, with only the clothes on their backs, a couple of small coins or a family ring sewn into the hem of a garment, perhaps a couple of old faded photographs.
The lives of these Early Americans changed dramatically from the moment they arrived. They didn’t come asking for money, or privilege, or a handout. The one thing that they all sought in common, and the one thing that they were all given, was OPPORTUNITY. In fact, America used to be called The Land of Opportunity.
People wanted the opportunity to work, and thus provide their own food, shelter, and clothing. They wanted the opportunity to settle a piece of land, grow their own food, raise their own livestock, build their own homes.
And that became the mark of True Americans, of men and women and children. Americans were known the world over for being industrious, hardworking, and inventive. People the world over knew that if they could make to the shores of The United States, they would be given the opportunity to better themselves and their families.
From the time of this Nation’s founding, the American people have been thankful for what they have.
Our, First President George Washington, issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789, designating Thursday, November 26 as a national day of thanks., the first formal proclamation of Thanksgiving in the United States..
In his proclamation, Washington declared that the necessity for such a day sprung from the Almighty’s care of Americans prior to the Revolution, assistance to them in achieving independence, and help in establishing the constitutional government.
Here is that proclamation:
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 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 beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
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 enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease 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.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
Happy Thanksgiving.
