Historian and President of WallBuilders, David Barton, reminds us that on September 25, 1789, the very first federal Congress had just finished framing the Bill of Rights. On that notable day, the official record of the Congress report states Mr. Elias Boudinot said it would be unthinkable to let the session pass without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. Therefore, he moved the following resolution:

“Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would 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 favor of Almighty God.”

Congress’s recommendation was delivered to President George Washington, who happily concurred, issuing America’s first federal proclamation for a Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. Washington’s  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… Now, therefore, I do recommend… 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… 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 promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue.” (*Gazette October 3,1789 for observance day November 26, 1789.)

Since the landing of the Pilgrims, days of thanksgiving have been celebrated in America. Other Presidents followed Washington’s practice calling for united-thanksgiving be made to Almighty God. However, in 1863, it was President Abraham Lincoln that proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be set aside as a day of ‘Thanksgiving and Praise’. As Elias Boudinot considered it unthinkable to not thankfully recognize the Almighty’s providential hand, so should we. The historical, Biblical convictions of our Founders need to be rightly appreciated, taught, and practiced. In your family Thanksgiving gathering and with your church family ‘count His many blessings, name them one by one! Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.’