November 28 2013 is a National day of Thanksgiving in the USA! 

Our forefathers celebrated a year of abundance in 1621 at the Plymouth Plantation. 102 Pilgrims had arrived on the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. The first year they lost 46 original settlers but with the help of 91 native Americans they survived the winter and expressed gratitude for the fall harvest with a three day festival. Traditionally, this has been known as the “First Thanksgiving.

Globally, America and Canada celebrate a day of National Thanksgiving.

This year Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah fall on the same day which is a once in a lifetime experience.  According to LiveScience it won’t happen again for almost 70,000 years!  This Hybrid holiday has been lovingly dubbed “Thanksgivukkah.”

This day of Thanksgiving has traditionally been is to express gratitude and appreciation for family, friends and God with all his blessings. 

Interesting fact…..Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various different dates throughout history.  It was not until December 26, 1941 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after pushing two years earlier to move the date up to give the country an economic boost with a longer Christmas selling season, signed a bill into law, with congress, making Thanksgiving a national holiday and proclaiming it to be the fourth Thursday in November.

George Washington shared the first Presidential Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789.
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor – and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Thanksgiving Presidential Proclamations help reinforce our need for peace and gratitude.

Some memorable Thanksgiving quotes make this day of gratitude an opportunity to start traditions in your experience.

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt 

“Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more: Peace in the hearts of all men living, peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.” ~Joseph Auslander

“Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.” ~Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)

“O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” ~William Shakespeare

Please join with us on this National day of Thanksgiving in the USA to unite world wide with Love, peace and respect for each unique country and culture living together in one world in harmony.