THANKSGIVING DAY, in the United States, the last Thursday in November, annually set apart for thanksgiving by proclamation of the president and of the governors of the various States. The day is observed with religious services in the churches, and, especially in New England, as an occasion for family re union. The Pilgrims set apart a day for thanksgiving at Plymouth immediately after their first harvest, in 1621; the Massachusetts Bay Colony for the first time in 163o, and frequently thereafter until about i68o, when it became an annual festival in that colony; and Connecticut as early as 1639 and annually after 1647, except in 1675. The Dutch in New Netherland appointed a day for giving thanks in 1644 and occasionally thereafter. During the Revolu tionary War the Continental Congress appointed one or more thanksgiving days each year, except in 1777. President Washing
ton appointed a day of thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 26) in and appointed another in 1795. President Madison, in response to resolutions of Congress, set apart a day for thanksgiving at the close of the War of 1812. By 1858 proclamations appointing a day of thanksgiving were issued by the governors of 25 States and 2 Territories. President Lincoln appointed the last Thursday of Nov. 1864, and each president has followed his example.
See F. B. Hough, Proclamations for Thanksgiving (Albany, 1858) ; W. D. Love, The Fast and Thanksgiving Days of New England (1895) ; E. H. Hughes, Thanksgiving Sermons (1924) ; A. G. Lloyd, Thanks giving School Programs (1927) ; Van Buren and Bemis, Thanksgiving Day in Modern History (1928) ; L. C. Van Derveer, Thanksgiving Plays and Ways (1927).