Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington

City of New York, October 3, 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 thanks-giving 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."

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 favorable
interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and
conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, 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 hath 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 transgressions, 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 unto us) and to bless them with good government,
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.

Separation of church and state myth buster. Founder wants GOD in gov