Pol Light #68 is when Abraham Lincoln gave a proclamation on October 3, 1863, making a National Holiday for Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. Thanksgiving Day would subsequently be changed to the 4th Thursday of the month by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
Abraham Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation in the middle of the Civil War. It is believed by historians that Secretary of State William Seward wrote the words to the Thanksgiving Proclamation for President Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln Online). Sara Josepha Hale was an influential writer and editor of the day whose advocacy for Thanksgiving to become a holiday in the United States impacted Lincoln's decision.
Historian Harold Holzer said, Lincoln is "the father of the whole idea of a nation giving thanks for its advantages and privileges of living in a democracy like this (USA Today, Abraham Lincoln Father of the Thanksgiving Holiday, 11/26/2013)."
Abraham Lincoln has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Abraham Lincoln posts search with Abraham Lincoln label at Pol Light.
Historian Harold Holzer said, Lincoln is "the father of the whole idea of a nation giving thanks for its advantages and privileges of living in a democracy like this (USA Today, Abraham Lincoln Father of the Thanksgiving Holiday, 11/26/2013)."
Abraham Lincoln has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Abraham Lincoln posts search with Abraham Lincoln label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo in this post of Abraham Lincoln is in the Public Domain.
