THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION - JUNE 20, 1676

"The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive
dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of
this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own
Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern
that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having
remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us
for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compas-
sion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threa-
tened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late
with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them,
without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been
sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It
certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in
any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take
notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be
found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiv-
ing, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing
Afflictions:

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of
this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God
for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might
be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflic-
tions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the
Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying
Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders
and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the
same Beseeching that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all,
even this whole people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and
acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ."

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The First Thanksgiving Proclamation (June 20, 1676)

On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts,
held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good
fortune that had seen their community securely established. By un-
amimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June
29 as a day of thanksgiving, our first. That proclamation is reproduced
here in the same language and spelling as the original.

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Prepared by Gerald Murphy (The Cleveland Free-Net - aa300)


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