Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers: 152 Years Ago: “A National Thanksgiving,” The Daily Green Mountain Freeman, Oct. 6, 1863

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the first proclamation identifying the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Since then, US presidents have issued annual proclamations inviting Americans to pause and appreciate the benefits and prosperity of their times. Published in the Daily Green Mountain Freeman (Montpelier, VT) and across the nation, Lincoln encouraged Americans to be thankful for the success of the annual harvest and, even in the midst of the military conflict of the Civil War,  “these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget…” Read more about it and follow us on Twitter @librarycongress #ChronAm #10Million!

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