In 1863, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated as a regular American holiday.

You probably already know that President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863, declaring the fourth Thursday in November as an official day to give thanks to God for his many blessings and provisions throughout the year. But did you ever stop to consider that Lincoln’s call for thanksgiving came while the country was involved in its bloodiest and only civil war?

“In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity,” President Lincoln found much for which to give thanks to God. Peace had been preserved with other nations, laws had been respected and maintained. The population of the country had continued to increase, farming and industry were thriving, and the country remained strong—all blessings that Lincoln attributed to “the Most High God.”

“It has seemed to me fit and proper that they [God’s gracious gifts] should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People,” President Lincoln wrote.

Thousands of years earlier another ruler had declared a day of thanksgiving and praise to God. King David, having just brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem, led the people in a celebration of thanksgiving with this song, “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles” (1 Chronicles 16:8, 9).

In David’s song, the people were instructed in how to give true thanksgiving: remembering what God has done; telling others about it; showing God’s goodness to others; and offering back to God gifts of service.

What can you do today to remember, tell, show, and serve as thanksgiving to God?

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done (1 Chronicles 16:8).

To Do

As part of your Thanksgiving celebration, read David’s song of thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36.

Also on this day

Today is National French Toast Day. Enjoy some!

1520—Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait.

1919—American-born Lady Astor was elected the first female member of the British Parliament.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.