A Thanksgiving Story

Why George Washington proclaimed a national day of thanks.

Nov 23, 2023

∙ Paid

“These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Those words from Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis” held special significance for George Washington. It is easy to imagine him reflecting on them with gratitude when he issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789, designating Thursday, November 26, as a national day of thanks. For it was during Washington’s most…

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