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[[Image:Vc006494.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, set by Congress, December 18, 1777]]

[[Image:Vc006494.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, set by Congress, December 18, 1777]]

'''Thanksgiving Day''' is a national [[holiday]] in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.  It is traditionally a day set aside to give thanks to the [[God|Lord]] for His blessings and is celebrated though feasting and prayer.<ref name="Lede">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=PwKAnPGqTDIC&q=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God&dq=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God&hl=en&ei=U6zOTursE4qOiAL91tHzCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBDgK| title = The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 7|quote=Thanksgiving Day is a day set aside each year for giving thanks to God for blessings received during the year. On this day, people give thanks with feasting and prayer. It is celebrated in the United States and Canada.|publisher = [[World Book Encyclopedia]]|year=2002|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Lede2">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=fz514UAgIJAC&pg=PT27&dq=thanksgiving+holiday+God&hl=en&ei=H6zOTteXE6mjiALmzLHWCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=thanksgiving%20holiday%20God&f=false| title = Twelve Holidays|quote=Thanksgiving Day-a holiday set aside for giving thanks to God. On Thanksgiving Day, many people from the United States and Canada give thanks for blessings received during the year with feasting and prayer.|publisher = [[Dorrance Publishing Co.]]|year=2011|author=Hazel Meadows|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Lede3">{{cite book|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=7l9YAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA875&dq=Thanksgiving+Day++giving+thanks+to+God+feasting+and+prayer.+It+is+celebrated+in+the+United+States+and+Canada.&hl=en&ei=H7LOTr60I63SiAL3uvziCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFkQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Thanksgiving%20Day%20%20giving%20thanks%20to%20God%20feasting%20and%20prayer.%20It%20is%20celebrated%20in%20the%20United%20States%20and%20Canada.&f=false| title = The American Stationer, Volume 40|quote=As a holiday Thursday will be observed throughout the entire United States, and in Canada also, as November 26 has been designated by both Governments as the day upon which the people shall unite in giving thanks to God for blessings received.|publisher = The American Stationer|date=26 November 1896|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref>

'''Thanksgiving Day''' is a national [[holiday]] in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]] that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.  It is traditionally a day set aside to give thanks to the [[God|Lord]] for His blessings and is celebrated though feasting and prayer.<ref name="Lede">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PwKAnPGqTDIC&q=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God&dq=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God&hl=en&ei=U6zOTursE4qOiAL91tHzCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBDgK| title = The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 7|quote=Thanksgiving Day is a day set aside each year for giving thanks to God for blessings received during the year. On this day, people give thanks with feasting and prayer. It is celebrated in the United States and Canada.|publisher = [[World Book Encyclopedia]]|year=2002|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Lede2">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fz514UAgIJAC&pg=PT27&dq=thanksgiving+holiday+God&hl=en&ei=H6zOTteXE6mjiALmzLHWCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=thanksgiving%20holiday%20God&f=false| title = Twelve Holidays|quote=Thanksgiving Day-a holiday set aside for giving thanks to God. On Thanksgiving Day, many people from the United States and Canada give thanks for blessings received during the year with feasting and prayer.|publisher = [[Dorrance Publishing Co.]]|year=2011|author=Hazel Meadows|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Lede3">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7l9YAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA875&dq=Thanksgiving+Day++giving+thanks+to+God+feasting+and+prayer.+It+is+celebrated+in+the+United+States+and+Canada.&hl=en&ei=H7LOTr60I63SiAL3uvziCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CFkQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Thanksgiving%20Day%20%20giving%20thanks%20to%20God%20feasting%20and%20prayer.%20It%20is%20celebrated%20in%20the%20United%20States%20and%20Canada.&f=false| title = The American Stationer, Volume 40|quote=As a holiday Thursday will be observed throughout the entire United States, and in Canada also, as November 26 has been designated by both Governments as the day upon which the people shall unite in giving thanks to God for blessings received.|publisher = The American Stationer|date=26 November 1896|accessdate = October 20, 2011}}</ref>

{{before on after|2018|11|22|<br/>'''Thanksgiving day is on November 22 this year.'''<br/>|<br/>'''Today is thanksgiving this year!'''<br/>|{{before on after|2019|11|28|<br/>'''Thanksgiving day is next celebrated on November 28, 2018.'''<br/>|<br/>'''Today is thanksgiving this year!'''<br/>| }}}}<br />

{{before on after|2018|11|22|<br/>'''Thanksgiving day is on November 22 this year.'''<br/>|<br/>'''Today is thanksgiving this year!'''<br/>|{{before on after|2019|11|28|<br/>'''Thanksgiving day is next celebrated on November 28, 2018.'''<br/>|<br/>'''Today is thanksgiving this year!'''<br/>| }}}}<br />

In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving Day as the last Thursday in November. In 1941, the United States [[Congress]] passed a resolution decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November.  Thanksgiving Day proclamations have traditionally been given by the Presidents of the United States of America <ref>http://www.thanksgivingworld.com/thanksgiving-proclamations/index.html</ref>

In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving Day as the last Thursday in November. In 1941, the United States [[Congress]] passed a resolution decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November.  Thanksgiving Day proclamations have traditionally been given by the Presidents of the United States of America <ref>http://www.thanksgivingworld.com/thanksgiving-proclamations/index.html</ref>

==Washington==

==Washington==

In September 1789, Congress asked President [[George Washington]] to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.” Washington complied.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=40032 President Washington Proclaims America’s Duty to ‘Obey’ God and ‘Be Grateful for His Benefits’] CNSNews, November 27, 2008</ref>  

In September 1789, Congress asked President [[George Washington]] to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.” Washington complied.<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=40032 President Washington Proclaims America’s Duty to ‘Obey’ God and ‘Be Grateful for His Benefits’] CNSNews, November 27, 2008</ref>  

{{cquote|''Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.'' <ref>http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html Library of Congress - George Washington Papers</ref>}}.

{{cquote|''Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.'' <ref>http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html Library of Congress - George Washington Papers</ref>}}.

To whom does an atheist like Mr. Dawkins express such gratitude?

To whom does an atheist like Mr. Dawkins express such gratitude?

I’m by no means the first person to point out this conundrum. In fact, the Internet is peppered with failed attempts to justify an atheistic celebration of Thanksgiving. Atheists insist they are not ungrateful. They confess that they feel thankful, and they clearly sense a need to avoid the ignominy of brazen ingratitude on a cosmic scale — especially at Thanksgiving.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/21/the-atheists-thanksgiving-dilemma/?page=all MACARTHUR: The atheist’s Thanksgiving dilemma], John MacArthur, ''Washington Times''</ref>}}

I’m by no means the first person to point out this conundrum. In fact, the Internet is peppered with failed attempts to justify an atheistic celebration of Thanksgiving. Atheists insist they are not ungrateful. They confess that they feel thankful, and they clearly sense a need to avoid the ignominy of brazen ingratitude on a cosmic scale — especially at Thanksgiving.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/21/the-atheists-thanksgiving-dilemma/?page=all MACARTHUR: The atheist’s Thanksgiving dilemma], John MacArthur, ''Washington Times''</ref>}}

==See also==   

==See also==