Lincoln Declares a National Day of Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 4, 1863

In the midst of an ongoing and painful civil conflict, President Abraham Lincoln has issued an official presidential proclamation inviting the American people to observe a national day of Thanksgiving. Signed on the third day of October, the executive document sets apart the last Thursday of November as a unified day of gratitude and prayer for citizens across the United States.

While regional thanksgiving celebrations have been customary in various states for generations, particularly throughout New England, the observance has never before been established as a fixed, nationwide event occurring simultaneously in every state. Individual governors previously selected their own dates, leading to scattered autumn observances throughout the country. President Lincoln’s new measure seeks to unite the fractured nation under a single, shared calendar event.

Government records indicate that Secretary of State William H. Seward played a key role in the creation of the document, assisting the President by drafting the formal text. The proclamation acknowledges the immense grief and loss caused by the Civil War, recognizing the many widows, orphans, and wounded soldiers across the land. Despite these severe trials, the official message directs the public's attention to the nation's enduring blessings, including bountiful harvests, growing industries, and the preservation of peace with foreign nations.

Citizens are called upon not only to express thanks for these provisions, but also to remember those who have suffered deeply during the struggle. The decree specifically encourages prayers for healing and divine care for the families torn apart by military action, as well as the eventual restoration of national unity and lasting peace.

Advocates of a permanent national holiday, including prominent magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale, have campaigned for years through letters and editorials to achieve this goal. With President Lincoln’s signature and Secretary Seward’s formal phrasing, the long-sought national observance is now an official reality. Communities across the Union are now preparing to gather in homes and places of worship this coming November 26.