John Hancock (1737-1793) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the president of the Continental Congress, and governor of Massachusetts. It was during his time as governor that he issued the following November 8, 1780 proclamation declaring a day of Thanksgiving for December 7, 1780. (See other proclamations issued by John Hancock and others [...]
This is the text of the Continental Congress' November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress. Saturday, November 1, 1777 The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, [...]
Samuel Adams (1722-1803) helped organize the Boston Tea party (1773), was a state legislator in Massachusetts (1765-1774), and served in the Continental Congress (1774-1781) where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams served as governor of Massachusetts from 1794-1797. During Samuel Adams’ time as governor he issued many proclamations, including the following October 15, 1794 [...]
The following proclamation was issued on September 26, 1800 by Caleb Strong as Massachusetts Governor as printed in the Columbian Centinel. This proclamation was for a day of Thanksgiving on November 27, 1800. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By His Excellency Caleb Strong, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A Proclamation, For a Day of Public [...]
Victory in Europe Day (also known as V-E Day) occurred on May 8, 1945. Below is a proclamation for a day of prayer and thanksgiving issued by President Harry S. Truman in response to the unconditional surrender of the German troops, which effectively ended the war in Europe. (A signed copy is located below the [...]
The following is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise, issued by John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence), while he was serving as governor of Massachusetts. The proclamation was issued October 5, 1791 and was declaring November 17, 1791 the day of Thanksgiving. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By [...]
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was involved in many professions throughout his life. He was a lawyer, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1769-1775), served in the Continental Congress (1775-1776) where he drafted the Declaration of Independence, was governor of Virginia (1779-1781), and the U.S. minister to France (1785-178). Jefferson also served as the first [...]
This is the text of a Thanksgiving Day proclamation issued by President William Howard Tafton November 15, 1909. [Thanksgiving- 1909.] By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. The season of the year has returned when, in accordance with the reverent custom established by our forefathers, the people of the United [...]
This is a proclamation given by the city council of Watertown, Massachusetts for a day of Thanksgiving as printed in The Pennsylvania Evening Post. The proclamation was issued on November 4, 1775 for the day of Thanksgiving on November 23, 1775. A Proclamation For A Public Thanksgiving. Although in consequence of the unnatural, cruel, and [...]
In light of America's current war in Iraq and ongoing war against terrorism, the actions of our Founding Fathers in times of war are instructive. This is the text of the first national day of thanksgiving in America (set for December 18, 1777), declared by the Continental Congress on November 1, 1777: IN CONGRESS November [...]
