Forget the Pilgrims and the wondrous meal they had celebrating the first Thanksgiving. It is all made up and mythical lore. It's a great story for school kids though! But it never happened.
The First Thanksgiving was in fact a presidential proclamation, by none other than George Washington, in 1789.
I suggest that you read the entire text. It is only 489 words long. You can find it here.
But this is the beginning, and it is powerful!
" 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..."
I intentionally left the three dots at the end, because more follows. But that beginning will just as well indicate his intention.
It was not until President Abraham Lincoln that the holiday became a national one. He had his own proclamation in 1863. Not surprisingly, it has the same flavor as his predecessor.
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY AND GIVE THANKS FOR OUR BOUNTIES. WE NEED TO PRESERVE THEM. WE MUST.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Hi Jay - have a lovely Thanksgiving... Gay
Thanks for the post.
Nice picture. Good luck in your area.
Happy Turkey day.
Thank you Gay. The same to you and yours!
J&H - Merry Thanksgiving! That is an Arnold Frieberg painting. I have it in my basement.
The real kicker on that is the use of "Almighty God" in his proclamation. Clearly, the first President understood that "Separation of Church and State" doesn't mean that they have to be kept completely apart, but rather that one cannot force upon the other to make doctrine. Sure wish today's politicians understood that.
Thanks for clearing that up, Jay. There seems to always be a lot of discussion about the "first" Thanksgiving. I love the painting. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Roger - if you read about how "separation of church and state" wove it's way into our documents, you will see that it was done in an underhanded way. There is no such separation as is touted today. And Mr. Washington understood that...
Toni - I have that painting in my basement, by Arnold Frieberg. He is fabulous.
Ditto Roger * We need to LEARN from our past and unfortunately the current occupants of the White House want to FORGET or REMAKE it!
C'mon, Wallace. To "create" hope and change you have to "create" a new reality! But pay no attention to that man behind the curtain...
And a very happy Thanksgiving Day to you Jay.
All the best,
Gabe
Jay,
whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested....probably the only time the 2 got together where it cost us nothing THEN
Be thankful for your blessings today and everyday, best to you and your family
Enjoy the day
Merry Thanksgiving to you too Gabe! Thanks for that great image too!
And Don, have a wonderful holiday, you and yours! I am thankful.
Mr Jay,
I saw your kindly offer inviting me to Thanksgiving at your house with the cranberry recipe being designed to my pallete. I most certainly accept but I will not be able to get there until leftovers on Friday. Nutsy.
I am happy for that Nutsy and will save some of the cranberry!
Renee - wow, Merry Thanksgiving from the Three Friskies! Thanks!
With just 36 days left in 2010, Zoey the Cool Cat and I just wanted to stop by and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hope it’s a great one, with lots of fun and food with family and friends!
Thanks Russell. Same to you and yours.
Hi Jay, Thanks for sharing, Hope you are enjoying this Thanksgiving Day
Thanks Ed. Same to you. We have had a great day!
I knew that pilgrim story was full of hooey! I don't know what that means, but my Mother said it all the time! Happy Thanksgiving, Jay!
Cynthia - even the History Channel recognizes that! Some find it hard to believe, because it is so ingrained in our country's lore. But such as it is! Merry Thanksgiving!
Jay,
Fantastic post. That's for publishing it along with the photo. :)
Steve
Thanks Steve! So much myth and lore weaves into our thinking, it is sometimes easy to not know what the truth really is.
Jay, thank you for the history lesson on Thanksgiving! I think it makes our traditions much richer to stop and think about how and why they started.
And there is so much revisionist history these days, Wende, it is hard to keep it all in line!
So odd that you post this, I just heard yesterday that it was Lincoln's idea and attempt to unite the colonies. Now I have further insight on the matter. Thanks Jay.
I'm glad you stopped by Sam! And that you have a new insight.