[New York, 3 October 1789]
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.
George Washington
