The 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

When you sit down to eat the Thanksgiving feast remember Abe Lincoln’s gifts to America, including this holiday.

When you sit down at the Thanksgiving table each year, remember the tall, thin, bearded man wearing the stovepipe hat. He gave great gifts to the American people. One of the lesser known — making this day a federal holiday.

Abraham Lincoln is perhaps the most famous of American presidents throughout history. And likely one of the most recognizable, with his physical characteristics.

He led the nation at a pivotal time, during the Civil War. He was a catalyst to freeing slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation, and gave his life in service to the nation, having been assassinated.

It was back in 1863 that Lincoln gave his legacy two-minute speech, the “Gettysburg Address,” still thought today by some to be the greatest speech in American history.

1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

What many do not know, however, is that it was Abraham Lincoln who made the “1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation.”

Arguably America’s favorite holiday, Thanksgiving Day, a time for gathering with family and friends and eating a feast, became a national holiday thanks to Abe Lincoln.  Just look to data on travel. More Americans travel around the Thanksgiving holiday than any other time of the year.

“I invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and prayer…”
Abraham Lincoln, from the 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

So at Thanksgiving time, also remember the extraordinary man, Abraham Lincoln.  Maybe just for a moment, we give thanks on this day as we gather with family and friends.  But it’s likely something many of us should do more often.

Wishing all a memorable Thanksgiving!

By The Editor

Observations of island life, news & opinion by W.B. Lawson. Wendy has enjoyed the laid-back Amelia Island lifestyle since 1993. Her professional background began at a newspaper in NY. She then worked in PR/Investor Relations at Fortune 500 company, and later became a managing editor at an equity research publishing firm. She was Series 7 licensed while with Merrill Lynch Private Client Group.