Changes

During his first year in office, President [[George Washington]] issued a proclamation calling for a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer."

During his first year in office, President [[George Washington]] issued a proclamation calling for a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer."

Washington had been a general who had spent eight years on the field of battle winning our freedom from Great Britain. Then he spent another six years creating the Constitution and the government that we still have 218 years later (the longest continuing constitutional government in the world). So Washington understood well the nature of a free society and its obligation to both thank God and seek His guidance.

Washington had been a general who had spent eight years on the field of battle winning our freedom from Great Britain. Then he spent another six years creating the [[Constitution]] and the government that we still have 218 years later (''the longest continuing constitutional government in the world''). So Washington understood well the nature of a free society and its obligation to both thank God and seek His guidance.

In his Thanksgiving proclamation, Washington wrote: {{cquote|'''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'''}}

In his Thanksgiving proclamation, Washington wrote: {{cquote|'''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'''}}