As Jennifer Harber notes in her column at the Washington Times (where my On Crime column also appears), Thanksgiving became a permanent holiday on a fixed day under President Abraham Lincoln.
“President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be regularly commemorated as Thanksgiving Day. His Thanksgiving holiday proclamation implored the nation to heal its wounds and restore peace, harmony, tranquility throughout the nation,” according to an advisory from the White House Historical Association, found at whitehousehistory.org.
Jennifer Harper also took note of what President Ronald Reagan said in his 1981 Thanksgiving Proclamation.
“Thanksgiving has become a day when Americans extend a helping hand to the less fortunate. Long before there was a government welfare program, this spirit of voluntary giving was ingrained in the American character. Americans have always understood that, truly, one must give in order to receive. This should be a day of giving as well as a day of thanks.
“As we celebrate Thanksgiving in 1981, we should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people.”
Note: The above illustration is the late, great Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving.
No comments:
Post a Comment