image sourced from original article at A rare document, the first national Thanksgiving proclamation in the United States, is set to be auctioned in Manhattan. Written in 1777 by Samuel Adams and signed by Henry Laurens, it called for a day of gratitude during a critical moment in the Revolutionary War, following the pivotal victory at Saratoga. The proclamation marked a shift from colonial governors' local observances to a unified national tradition, asking for divine favor in the fight for independence and the protection of rights and liberties.
The holiday's date and meaning evolved over time, with later presidents establishing Thanksgiving as an annual event on the fourth Thursday of November. Early celebrations were solemn religious occasions, but by the mid-nineteenth century, neighborhood festivities transformed Thanksgiving into a major cultural event. Only four copies of the original 1777 proclamation are known to exist, highlighting its historical significance as the foundation of a cherished American tradition.
