The Legislative History and Inception of Thanksgiving - Happy Thanksgiving!

Have you ever wondered how far the powers of Congress can extend? It is well-known that the Congressional powers are enumerated in several places of U.S. Constitution. However, today I choose to focus on the legislative power of Congress and especially the establishment of Thanksgiving. Let's travel back in time and specifically in 1789.

On September 28th, 1789, the first Federal Congress passed a motion requesting the President of the United States suggest to the nation a day of Thanksgiving. Few days later, on November 26, President George Washington announced officially that day, which was Thursday, as a "Day of Publick Thanksgivin". This was the first time that Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863 and stated that Thanksgiving would be regularly commemorated each year on the last Thursday of November.

Until 1941, due to the President Franklin Roosevelt's declaration, Thanksgiving was celebrated differently throughout the nation; part of the country celebrated it the last Thursday in November and the rest of the country the following week. As a result, in 1941 Congress set a fixed-date for the Thanksgiving holiday and established the fourth Thursday in November as our Federal Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

From me:

I wish you a Joyous Holiday filled with Health, Peace, Love, and Prosperity!

As I do not take things for granted and always desire to show my gratitude, please allow me to thank my husband, family, and friends for all their love, support, and appreciation.