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This was the first Public Proclamation of the first independent, although quasi-legal,
legislature of the Revolution. Formally printed as a broadside it was sent to be
posted up in every town and village and "sent to all the religious assemblies in this
province". The proclamation and the following Thanksgiving day were enthusiastically
received. "Their edicts are implicitly obeyed," an embittered General Gage complained.
On that December 15, the business of the Province shut down. The Boston Gazette reported
that "two or three embittered persons of the most insignificant and contemptuous of
Sects" opened their shops, but that even some British soldiers had chided them for
insulting their countrymen.
Never again though were American thanksgivers to worry about the "Smiles of our Sovereign".
This first Thanksgiving proclamation by an independent legislature set a pattern for the
future prayer proclamations of the nation about to be born. Within nine months, soon after
the bloody surprise of Lexington and Concord, where the British troops were pursuing Sam
Adams and John Hancock as well as illegal arms, the infant Continental Congress proclaimed
a day of prayer
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and fasting for all the Thirteen Colonies. This action on the 12th of
June, 1775 was the first national prayer proclamation in the long history of the Republic.
At this moment of crisis in the far scattered Colonies, this proclamation bound them
together in their prayers as in their arms. This was also signed by John Hancock, now
president of the new and "continental" congress.
Many times during the next terrible years the Continental Congress set days of prayer and
fasting. It wasn't until 1777 after the battle of Saratoga that they were finally able to
declare the first day of national Thanksgiving and rejoicing.
But the significant note had already been struck. The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1774,
on the threshold of free government in America, was a call for gratitude with the same
lasting power as when 150 years before their forefathers began their life in the New World
with an act of Thanksgiving.
Now we ourselves are venturing into a great beginning, the third century of American
freedom. We too can feel -- as deeply as those who pioneered and those who won our
freedoms -- their abiding sense of humility and thankfulness. May it be so.
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This brochure was made possible by
the cooperation of these people and institutions.
We are thankful to Paul Crume for the text. We are grateful to Eric Sloane for his
leading illustration. Our thanks for history and interpretation to: Dr. Richard W.
Hale, Jr., Archivist of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Arthur J. Krim, Cambridge
Historical Commission, Professor Richard L. Bushman, Boston University, Thomas L.
Davis, Boston University, Professor L. Kinvin Wroth, University of Maine, Dr. Joel D.
Meyerson, Harvard University, Marcus A. McCorison, American Antiquarian Society, Dr.
Claude W. Barlow, Clark University, Dr. Stephen Riley, Massachusetts Historical Society.
For documents and photographs we appreciate the cooperation of Harvard College Library
(Fourth Meeting House), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Copley's John Hancock), Harvard
University (Copley's John Winthrop), American Antiquarian Society (proclamation).
The American Thanksgiving Experience
A Nation Is Born — In Prayer
| Thanks-Giving Square Foundation,
3141 One Main Place, Dallas, Texas 75250 |
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