Six surprising facts about the history of Thanksgiving

Mildred Europa Taylor November 26, 2020
George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
George Washington Thanksgiving Proclamation. Photo:
Adam Fletcher Adventure Series

People were divided over a national Thanksgiving holiday

When President George Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789, some members of Congress were against it. They argued that the president didn’t have the authority to designate a Thanksgiving Day as that right belonged to individual state governors. Others also wanted the Day to be separated from state activities as it was deemed “religious.”

Last Edited by:Mildred Europa Taylor Updated: November 26, 2020

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