Categories: Proclamations

West Virginia 1992

In the name and by the authority of the State of West Virginia

Proclamation

by

Gaston Caperton, Governor

WHEREAS,  West Virginia has been richly blessed in natural beauty, reflecting God’s miracle of creation; and,

WHEREAS, the importance of Christian heritage to the traditions and values of our state is immeasurable; and,

WHEREAS, religious holidays, festivals and celebrations have brought welcome respite from weary labor, as well as renewed respect and meaning for nature’s seasons of change; and,

WHEREAS,  the community church serves a vital function in towns binding folks together and providing crucial education and charitable services; and,

WHEREAS, teaching future generations of West Virginians the all important role of Christian Heritage is of crucial concern to West Virginians of all faiths;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Gaston Caperton, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim March 8, 1992 through March 14, 1992 as: Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol, City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, this the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-two and in the One Hundred Twenty-ninth year of the State.

Gaston Caperton

Governor

By the Governor

Ken Hechler

Secretary of State

Texas 1992

 

Official Memorandum

State of Texas

Office of the Governor

Our state has been richly blessed in natural beauty, reflecting God’s miracle of creation.

The importance of Christian heritage to the traditions and values of our state is immeasurable.

Religious holidays, festivals, and celebrations have brought welcome respite from weary labor, as well as renewed respect and meaning for nature’s seasons of change.

The community church serves a vital function in binding folks together and providing crucial education and charitable services.

Teaching future generations of our state the all-important role of Christian heritage is of crucial concern to citizens of all faiths.

Therefore, I, Ann W. Richards, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim the week beginning Easter Sunday, April 19 through April 25, 1992, as CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK in Texas and urge the appropriate recognition thereof.

In official recognition whereof I hereby affix my signature this 7th day of April, 1992.

Ann Richards

 Governor of Texas

New Mexico 1991

STATE OF NEW MEXICO EXECUTIVE OFFICE SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO DESIRES TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEMORATE THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; AND

WHEREAS, THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION IS RECOGNIZED IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SUCH RENOWNED INDIVIDUALS AS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, WILLIAM BRADFORD, GEORGE WASHINGTON, JOHN HANCOCK, ABIGAIL ADAMS, NOAH WEBSTER, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND WOODROW WILSON; AND

WHEREAS, TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE HISTORICAL CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION FROM ITS DISCOVERY, AND CONCEPTION TO ITS CONTINUAL APPLICATION IS BENEFICENT EDUCATIONALLY AND VIRTUOUSLY; AND

WHEREAS, THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO BE FULLY EDUCATED AS TO THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE OF OUR NATION IS RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES AS A VOLUNTARY EXERCISE OF THE FREEDOM OF EDUCATIONAL CHOICE; AND

WHEREAS, THE CHRISTIAN FAITH HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DOCUMENTED AS A FOUNDATIONAL INFLUENCE ON THE INCEPTION, FORMATION, STRUCTURE AND CULTURE OF OUR NATION;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRUCE KING, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 10 THROUGH NOVEMBER 16, 1991 AS  “CHRISTIAN HERITAGE WEEK” IN NEW MEXICO.

ATTEST:

DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 25TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1991.

STEPHANIE GONZALES

SECRETARY OF STATE

WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

BRUCE KING

GOVERNOR

American troops land at Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings of 1944.

Victory in Europe Prayer Proclamation – 1945

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 by President Truman is located below the text.)
 victory-in-europe-prayer-proclamation-1945-1

Bulletin   WAR DEPARTMENT
No. 6     Washington 25, D.C., May 9 1945

PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT – VICTOR IN EUROPE; DAY OF PRAYER.–The following proclamation for the President (No. 2651) is published for the information and guidance of all concerned:

PROCLAMATION 2651
[VICTORY IN EUROPE; DAY OF PRAYER]
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.

Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak. The power of our people to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific war as it has been proved in Europe.

For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and for its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945, to be a day of prayer.

I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.

I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-five and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-ninth. [SEAL]

HARRY S. TRUMAN
By the President:
Joseph C. Grew,
      Acting Secretary of State.
By order of the Secretary of War:
G. C. Marshall
Chief of staff

Official:
J.A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General

AGO 178B-May   637202 ͦ –45

U.S. Government Printing Office, 1945
victory-in-europe-prayer-proclamation-1945-2

V-E Day Proclamation – Truman

V-E (Victory in Europe) Day was celebrated around the world on May 8, 1945. One day earlier, German forces unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, thus signaling the end of fighting in Europe. (The Allies, however, would continue fighting against Japanese forces for an additional 3 months.) President Harry Truman addressed the nation on the occasion and read his proclamation calling for a day of prayer.

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender.

The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.

Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak.

The power of our people to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific war as it has been proved in Europe.

For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and for its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

Now, Therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945, to be a day of prayer.

I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.

I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Washington, D.C. May 8, 1945

Harry Truman

A member of the American military stands beside a US flag raised after the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1944

The following is the text of a national Thanksgiving proclamation issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 1, 1944. The Thanksgiving day was to take place on November 23, 1944. The images of the Proclamation are from the National Archives and Records Administration.

Red # 26058 13-A1-019 Research Request

Red # 26058 13-A1-019 Research Request

THANKSGIVING DAY, 1944

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

In this year of liberation, which has seen so many millions freed from tyrannical rule, it is fitting that we give thanks with special fervor to our Heavenly Father for the mercies we have received individually and as a nation and for the blessings He has restored, through the victories of our arms and those of our Allies, to His children in other lands.

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, we should lift up our hearts in thanksgiving.

For the harvest that has sustained us and, in its fullness, brought succor to other peoples; for the bounty of our soil, which has produced the sinews of war for the protection of our liberties; and for a multitude of private blessings, known only in our hearts, we should give united thanks to God.

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. Let every man of every creed go to his own version of the Scriptures for a renewed and strengthening contact with those eternal truths and majestic principles which have inspired such measure of true greatness as this nation has achieved.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, in consonance with the joint resolution of the Congress approved December 26, 1941, do hereby proclaim Thursday the twenty-third day of November 1944 a day of national thanksgiving and I call upon the people of the United States to observe it by bending every effort to hasten the day of final victory and by offering to God our devout gratitude for His goodness to us and to our fellow men.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this first day of November in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-ninth.

By the President:
Franklin Roosevelt

Edward Stettinius Jr.
Acting Secretary of State.

D-Day Prayer

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt printed copies of his famous D-Day speech to give to give as gifts. Below is a picture of that 1944 Christmas gift and the transcription of the prayer Roosevelt prayed on D-Day (June 6, 1944).

D-Day Prayer

by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from the white House – June 6, 1944

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tired, but night and by day, without rest – until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, thy heroic servant into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home – fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters and brothers of brave men overseas – whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them – help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire if great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too – strength in our daily tasks to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons, faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let no the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment – let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessings, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace – a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.

Christmas- 1944- from

F. D. R.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1933

 

This is the text of Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation.

 

Thanksgiving
Day- 1933

By the
President of the United States of America

A
Proclamation

I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do set aside and appoint Thursday, the thirtieth day of November 1933, to be a Day of Thanksgiving for all our people.

proclamation-thanksgiving-day-1933-1

May we on that day in our churches and in our homes give humble thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us during the year past by Almighty God.

May we recall the courage of those who settled a wilderness, the vision of those who founded the Nation, the  steadfastness of those who in every succeeding generation have fought to keep pure the ideal of equality of opportunity and hold clear the goal of mutual help in time of prosperity as in time of adversity.

May we be grateful for the passing of dark days; for the new spirit of dependence one on another; for the closer unity of all parts of our wide land; for the greater friendship between employers and those who toil; for a clearer knowledge by all nations that we seek no conquests and ask only honorable engagements by all people to respect the lands and rights of their neighbors; for the brighter day to which we can win through by seeking the help of God in amore unselfish striving for the bettering of mankind.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and thirty-three and of the Independence of the United States
of America the one hundred and fifty-eighth.

Franklin D. Roosevelt.

By the President:

William Phillips,

Acting
Secretary of State.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1777

 

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

proclamation-thanksgiving-day-1777-1The 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, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the
superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

proclamation-thanksgiving-day-1777-2It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.