THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had allowed their community to become securely established. The council unanimously voted to instruct their clerk Edward Rawson to proclaim June 29 as their first Day of Thanksgiving. The essence of their proclamation is as follows: On June 20, 1676 the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts established by proclamation the day of June 29, 1676 as the first Day of Thanksgiving. In this proclamation the council thanked God for his mercy in the midst of his judgments and their own struggles. This June 29, 1676 was set aside as “…a day of solemn thanksgiving and praise to God “…for his goodness and favor…” This first Day of Thanksgiving was to allow the Lord to see these Pilgrims “…as a people offering praise and thereby glorifying him.” The united resolve of these people was to “…solemnly and…
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