“It behooves a people sensible of their dependence on the Almighty publicly and collectively to acknowledge their gratitude for his favors and mercies and humbly to beseech for their continuance; and… the people of the United States during the year now about to end have special cause to be thankful for general prosperity, abundant harvests, exemption from pestilence, foreign war, and civil strife. …
I… hereby recommend to all citizens to meet in their respective places of worship… there to give thanks for the bounty of God during the year about to close and to supplicate for its continuance hereafter.”
– President Ulysses S. Grant, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 21, 1870
