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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 [[holiday]] in the [[United States]]  and [[Canada]] that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States and second Monday of October in Canada. The day is mainly used to justify the genocide against the Native Americans and the colonization of their lands by the English settlers. It is traditionally a day set aside to give thanks to the [[God|Lord]] for His blessings, however, Native Americans are seen only as props in this situation and aren't given credit where it is due. Thanksgiving is a uniquely [[American]] and [[Candian]] holiday  

'''Thanksgiving Day''' is a [[holiday]] in the [[United States]]  and [[Canada]] that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States and second Monday of October in Canada. The day is mainly used to justify the genocide against the Native Americans and the colonization of their lands by the English settlers. It is traditionally a day set aside to give thanks to the [[God|Lord]] for His blessings, however, Native Americans are seen only as props in this situation and aren't given credit where it is due. Thanksgiving is a uniquely [[American]] and [[Canadian]] holiday  

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>  

==Colonial==

==Colonial==

The earliest Thanksgivings were celebrated by Americans who were keenly aware that their blessings -- like their rights -- came from God. In times of hardship unimaginable to us today, they took time to give thanks to their Creator.the event is commemorated by a national holiday in November with its origins in [[Virginia]] at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619. The first Thanksgiving was a religious celebration -- an occasion to thank [[God]] -- that featured only a modest meal. It wasn't until two years later, in 1621, that Thanksgiving was expanded to include a banquet by the [[Pilgrims]] in [[Massachusetts]]. Thanksgiving was the first uniquely American holiday.  

The earliest Thanksgivings were celebrated by settlers from England known as the Pilgrims. The pilgrims were puritans, a group of Chrisitans who believed in living a simple and therefore pure life. In England they were discontent with how their King [[James I]] of [[England]] and [[Ireland]]/ James VI of [[Scotland]] and his court often got into parties which resulted in everyone going into a druken stupor. They often condemned the King but left in 1610 as they grew unpopular in England. They moved to the [[Netherlands]] but as they were discontent with Dutch culture, they left in 1620 for the Americas. They arrived in modern-day [[Massachusetts]]. who were keenly aware that their blessings -- like their rights -- came from God. In times of hardship unimaginable to us today, they took time to give thanks to their Creator.the event is commemorated by a national holiday in November with its origins in [[Virginia]] at Berkeley Plantation on December 4, 1619. The first Thanksgiving was a religious celebration -- an occasion to thank [[God]] -- that featured only a modest meal. It wasn't until two years later, in 1621, that Thanksgiving was expanded to include a banquet by the [[Pilgrims]] in [[Massachusetts]]. Thanksgiving was the first uniquely American holiday.  

==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>[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>