Thanksgiving
Transcript
The Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth in 1621—but not until 1863 did the holiday become an annual event.
One woman, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady's Book, had campaigned long and hard among her readers for a Thanksgiving holiday. Because of her influence, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed: “I do therefore invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Sarah Hale couldn’t vote or run for office, so she used the platform available to guide the nation to gratitude. I give thanks for the persistence of Sara Josepha Hale. People like her and people like you continue to bless the nation through the high calling of our daily work.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise." Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD."
