Happy Thanksgiving from the Justia team — we are thankful for all our readers and free law friends!
The legal establishment of Thanksgiving began with a resolution from the U.S. Congress. The resolution put forth a request that President George Washington recommend a day of thanksgiving, which he did, via proclamation, by declaring Thursday, November 26th, 1789, a day of “Publick” thanksgiving. You can find a copy of this proclamation, along with other historical legal documents and history relating to the holiday below.
- “Congress Establishes Thanksgiving“ – A brief history of the holiday from the National Archives.
- George Washington’s October 3, 1789, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
- President Lincoln Makes the Traditional Thanksgiving Celebration a Nationwide Holiday (October 3, 1863)
- Congress sets a fixed day for Thanksgiving: H.J. Res. 41, Making the Last Thursday in November a Legal Holiday (October 6, 1941)
- Senate Amendments to H.J. Res. 41, Making the Fourth Thursday in November a Legal Holiday (December 9, 1941)
- White House Photo Blog: Thanksgiving with the Presidents
We hope you have a safe and restful holiday, whatever your traditions.
