The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
On the 25th of September, in New York City, which was then the seat of government — The inaugural session of the first Congress was about to recess when, Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey rose to introduce a resolution;
“That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States, to request that he would 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 Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.”
(source — Founders Archive, check footnotes)
Boudinot's resolution sparked a large debate. But the House was not unanimous in its determination, Aedanus Burke of South Carolina objected that he “did not like this mimicking of European customs, where they made a mere mockery of thanksgivings.”
Thomas Tudor Tucker, also of South Carolina, thought;
“The House had no business to interfere in a matter which did not concern them. Why should the President direct the people to do what, perhaps, they have no mind to do? They may not be inclined to return thanks for a Constitution until they have experienced that it promotes their safety and happiness. We do not yet know but they may have reason to be dissatisfied with the effects it has already produced; but whether this be so or not, it is a business with which Congress have nothing to do; it is a religious matter, and, as such, is proscribed to us. If a day of thanksgiving must take place, let it be done by the authority of the several States”
(source — Founders Archive, check footnotes)
Although Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, praised Boudinot, citing biblical precedents. The proponents of a Thanksgiving celebration prevailed, and the House appointed a committee consisting of Boudinot, Sherman, and Peter Silvester to approach the president with the idea. The Senate agreed to the resolution on the 26th, and appointed William Samuel Johnson and Ralph Izard to the joint committee. On the 28th, the Senate committee confirmed that they had laid the resolution before the president.
Alexander Hamilton heard of the news and helped Washington draft the Thanksgiving Proclamation, which was released to the public on the 3rd of October, 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.”
Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation would set the standard for Thanksgiving Proclamations by future presidents, a list that included; James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and then every president up to the present day.
Whatever reservations may have been held by some public officials, the day was successfully celebrated throughout the nation. The Virginia assembly, for example, resolved on the 19th of November;
“That the chaplain to this House, be accordingly requested to perform divine service, and to preach a sermon in the Capitol, before the General Assembly, suitable to the importance and solemnity of the occasion, on the said 26th day of November”
(source — Journal, by Virginia. General Assembly, House of Delegates)
Most newspapers printed the proclamation and announced plans for public functions in honor of the day. Many churches celebrated the occasions by soliciting donations for the poor. And although it isn't the same as the national holiday we celebrate today, many of the wealthy would still either donate to the poor or gather around for a family dinner.
But only in 1863, would Thanksgiving actually become an official holiday. President Abraham Lincoln encouraged Americans to recognize the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving.” And a few years later in 1870, Congress followed suit by passing legislation making Thanksgiving.
