Thanksgiving History
First was in Virginia in 1619
Thanksgiving History
Pilgrims celebrated a bountiful harvest in 1621 (3-day feast acknowledging God as the giver of blessings)
Thanksgiving History
Day of Thanksgiving occurred sporadically over the next 250 years, but always acknowledging God as the Provider
Thanksgiving History
President Lincoln, in 1863, proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of “thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father”
Beneficent = kind, charitable, beneficial