#OnThisDate October 3, 1863 - Origins Of Gratitude

President Abraham Lincoln Issued The Thanksgiving Proclamation, Establishing The Last Thursday In November As A National Day Of Thanksgiving And Reflection.

This Decree Came At The Height Of The Civil War, Just A Few Months After The Union Army’s Crucial Victory At The Battle Of Gettysburg (July 1863).

In The Midst Of Intense National Strife, Lincoln Sought To Unite The Country Under A Shared Moment Of Gratitude, Calling For The Nation To Give Thanks For Its Blessings, Even As It Endured The Hardships Of War.

This Proclamation Marked The First Official Recognition Of Thanksgiving As A Recurring National Holiday.

Prior To This, Thanksgiving Had Been Celebrated Sporadically Across The Country, Largely As Local Or Regional Observances.

The Idea For A National Thanksgiving Was Heavily Influenced By The Efforts Of Sarah Josepha Hale, An Influential Writer And Editor Who Had Campaigned For Nearly Two Decades To Establish A Permanent Holiday.

Lincoln’s Proclamation Reflected The Belief That Even In Times Of Great Adversity, Americans Should Acknowledge And Give Thanks For Their Freedoms, Prosperity, And Collective Strength.

Lincoln’s Declaration, Issued From Washington, D.C., Was Not Just A Religious Or Cultural Statement But Also A Political One.

It Was An Appeal For Unity At A Time When The Nation Was Deeply Divided.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt Would Formalize Thanksgiving As The Fourth Thursday Of November, But It Was Lincoln’s Proclamation That Cemented Its Place In American Tradition.

For enthusiasts of Historical Ephemera, visit History-Collectors.com to find collectibles that might complement your collection.

You Can Own A Piece Of History.

Before you go, a simple way to support the efforts of this channel is to Like, Subscribe, Comment And Share.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

#TDIH #Patriotic #Americana #History #HistoryCollectors #Historical #AmericanHistory #HistoricalFacts #HistoryMatters #Ephemera #ThanksgivingHistory #ThanksgivingProclamation #AmericanTraditions #CivilWarHistory