Long before Thanksgiving was designated on the third Thursday of November as a federal holiday in 1863 by President Abraham ...

Among our nation's "firsts" were the introduction of the separation of church and state and George Washington's proclamation ...

It was not even the first national Thanksgiving – which was held on Dec. 18, 1777, at then-General Washington’s behest. Nor ...

In 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, November 26, 1789, as a "day of public thanksgiving." ...

November 27, 2025 - In his first presidential proclamation, George Washington designated November 26, 1789 as a Day of National Thanksgiving. The next president to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation ...

Every year on the fourth Thursday in November people across the U.S. celebrate Thanksgiving? But why on Thursday?

Colonial Americans, including George Washington, celebrated countless "thanksgivings" throughout their lives – just not in ...

November 26 has always been a day marked by significant events across the globe.Back in 1789, the United States Congress ...

On the fourth Thursday of November each year, Americans come together to celebrate Thanksgiving — a traditional holiday in ...

Log-in to bookmark & organize content - it's free! White House Historical Association Chief Education Officer Matthew Costello talked about the Constitutional foundations of the American presidency.

After eight years of leading the fledgling colonies in their war for independence, George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief in order to return to private life. Yet the difficulties of ...

From New York to Mount Vernon, 1782-1786. Retiring becomes him ; Reeling in the West ; To go or not to go -- To, from, and in Philadelphia, 1787. The center holds ; In his image ; "Little short of a ...