On October 3, 1863, amid the turmoil of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that would establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the United States. Lincoln’s declaration designated November 26, 1863, as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” This marked the beginning of Thanksgiving as an annual observance on the final Thursday of November, a tradition that has endured for over 150 years.
The roots of Lincoln’s proclamation trace back to Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor who had long advocated for a national Thanksgiving Day. For decades, Hale used her influence to petition presidents, governors, and influential figures to unify the celebration of Thanksgiving across the country. She believed the holiday could serve as a powerful symbol of unity and gratitude. Her campaign gained momentum during the Civil War, as she saw the holiday as a way to bring solace and hope to a divided nation.
Moved by Hale’s advocacy and inspired by the idea of fostering national unity, Lincoln issued the proclamation during one of the most challenging periods in American history. The nation was embroiled in the Civil War, with battles raging across the country and deep divisions threatening to tear it apart. In this context, Lincoln’s proclamation was more than a call for gratitude; it was a message of hope and reconciliation.
Lincoln’s proclamation reflected the moral and spiritual dimensions of his presidency. He called on Americans to acknowledge the blessings they still enjoyed, even amidst the hardships of war. “In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity,” Lincoln wrote, the nation had remained intact, its institutions preserved, and its freedoms upheld. He saw these blessings as gifts from God and urged citizens to reflect on their good fortune with humility and gratitude.
The proclamation also included a call to compassion and charity. Lincoln encouraged Americans to extend their gratitude by caring for those who had suffered due to the war—widows, orphans, and the wounded. This emphasis on communal responsibility and kindness underscored the holiday’s role as a time for unity and healing.
November 26, 1863, marked the first official national Thanksgiving Day. Citizens across the country gathered to give thanks, share meals, and reflect on their blessings. Though the country was divided by war, the holiday offered a moment of respite and a reminder of shared values. Families came together in homes, churches held special services, and communities paused to express gratitude.
Lincoln’s choice of the final Thursday in November was strategic. The timing aligned with traditional harvest festivals, which had been celebrated in various forms by communities since the early days of European settlement in America. By anchoring the holiday to the end of November, Lincoln created a continuity that resonated with cultural traditions while establishing a unifying national framework.
Thanksgiving would continue to evolve in the years following Lincoln’s proclamation. In 1941, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congress formally set the date of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, ensuring its consistent observance. Yet the foundation laid by Lincoln remains central to the holiday’s meaning: gratitude, unity, and compassion.
Today, Thanksgiving stands as one of the most cherished American holidays, celebrated by millions across the country. It is a time for families to gather, share meals, and reflect on the blessings of the year. Lincoln’s vision of a national day of gratitude and unity endures, a testament to the power of hope and the enduring strength of the American spirit.
