National Review’s mission of preserving the American tradition of ordered liberty bids us to participate in one of our greatest traditions, marking a day for giving thanks to God for the blessings he hath given us as individuals, families, and citizens of this great nation. Our Pilgrim forebears brought their ingenuity, their industry, and their faith to a continent rich with natural resources and stout defenses. Their labors helped to bequeath to this nation a dual heritage of prosperity and piety. It’s fitting that we remember them on this day.
Many of our presidents have made eloquent tribute to this national holiday as it developed, going all the way back to George Washington.
For his part, John Adams called for a national day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer.” He hoped that this day of prayer would “be accompanied by fervent thanksgiving to the Bestower of Every Good Gift, not only for His having hitherto protected and preserved the people of these United States in the independent enjoyment of their religious and civil freedom, but also for having prospered them in a wonderful progress of population, and for conferring on them many and great favors conducive to the happiness and prosperity of a nation.” Abraham Lincoln, too, like Adams before him, commended the nation to thank God, even during the terrible Civil War, for our bountiful harvests and for our growth as a nation.
