Why Thanksgiving Thursday?
Why is Thanksgiving always on a Thursday and who came up with the idea of always having it on a Thursday? - Tina, Charlton
Pres. Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
Lincoln issued his "Proclamation of Thanksgiving" on October 3rd, to be exact. Even during the Civil War, Lincoln wanted Americans to be grateful for what he called "the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies." Remembering the "gracious gifts" Lincoln writes: "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People."
If you want to read the full proclamation, go here.
The lovely language Lincoln uses is so far from what now passes for political discourse, that it's worth reading it just from that perspective.
