151st Anniversary of Thanksgiving as National Holiday

This year is the 150th anniversary of the celebration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Although days of Thanksgiving had been previously held, the 1863 proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln set a precedent for future observances.

To Access a copy of President Lincoln's proclamation, please visit:

National Park Service: Abraham Lincoln: “Blessings of Fruitful Fields”

Presidential proclamation:

Presidential Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day, 2014

Media report:

NECN: The Roots of Our Modern Thanksgiving (27 NOV 14)