The Real Story of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day is an American holiday. Yet, many people have a misunderstanding about the importance of this holiday. They also forgot who they are thanking. It is not about the Indians or the turkey but about thanking Almighty God for our blessings.

- November 2007

The answer is of course Almighty God. The first settlers came to the new world seeking freedom of religion and a new life. The first few years were very difficult and harsh. They needed to find a way to survive in the new world. When they finally were able to plant crops and harvest food, they were thankful for the blessing from God. The celebration of Thanksgiving was a tradition that lasted and later proclaimed by George Washington to be a National Holiday.

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
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 and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go. Washington

Please read some history and learn about the importance of this holiday and why it is celebrated in America. In the age of politically correctness and revision of history, the children are not taught the real history and the founding of the great nation. Just read the letters of some of the founding fathers and you will realize how their faith in God was central to the creation of this new form of government. A government of the people, by the people and for the people and the motto In God We Trust on our coins and currency.

Recently, many stores have announced plans to open their stores on Thanksgiving Day. Here are 30 stores that won't be open on Thanksgiving Day.

They should be commended for putting their employee's interest above profits. Let them celebrate with their families and offer thanks to God for the many blessings.

God Bless America!