Thanksgiving Day, 2020

Proclamation 10121 of November 25, 2020

Thanksgiving Day, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for the abundant
blessings in our lives. As we gather with family and
friends to celebrate this season of generosity, hope,
and gratitude, we commemorate America's founding
traditions of faith, family, and friendship, and give
thanks for the principles of freedom, liberty, and
democracy that make our country exceptional in the
history of the world.

This November marks 400 years since the Mayflower and
its passengers faced the unknown and set sail across
the Atlantic Ocean. Propelled by hope for a brighter
future, these intrepid men and women endured two long
months at sea, tired and hungry, to arrive in a new
world full of potential. In the winter weather that
greeted their arrival, they lost nearly half of their
fellow travelers to exposure, disease, and starvation.
Despite unimaginable hardships, these first Americans
nevertheless remained firm in their faith and
unwavering in their commitment to their dreams. They
forged friendships with the Wampanoag Tribe, fostered a
spirit of common purpose among themselves, and trusted
in God to provide for them. The following year, they
celebrated a successful harvest alongside their Native
American neighbors--the first Thanksgiving. This
seminal event in the history of our Nation is a
continual reminder of the power of faith, love,
perseverance, prayer, and fellowship.

The Mayflower's arrival to the New World in 1620 also
marks the arrival of the first seeds of democracy to
our land. Absent the rule of a monarch in an uncharted
wilderness, these early settlers resolved to create
their own government through what is known as the
Mayflower Compact. Defined by majority rule through
elected leaders responsible for creating ``just and
equal laws,'' the Mayflower Compact represents the
first chapter in the long tradition of self-
determination and rule of law in America. One hundred
and fifty-six years later, our Nation's Founding
Fathers resolved to break free from England, building
upon the Mayflower Compact to establish an enduring
government whose authority came solely ``from the
consent of the governed.''

This year, as our Nation continues to combat the
coronavirus pandemic, we have once again joined
together to overcome the challenges facing us. In the
midst of suffering and loss, we are witnessing the
remarkable courage and boundless generosity of the
American people as they come to the aid of those in
need, reflecting the spirit of those first settlers who
worked together to meet the needs of their community.
First responders, medical professionals, essential
workers, neighbors, and countless other patriots have
served and sacrificed for their fellow Americans, and
the prayers of our people have once again lifted up our
Nation, providing comfort, healing, and strength during
times of uncertainty. Despite unprecedented challenges,
we have not faltered in the face of adversity. To the
contrary, we have leveraged our strengths to make
significant breakthroughs that will end this crisis,
rebuilding our stockpiles, revamping our manufacturing
capabilities, and developing groundbreaking
therapeutics and life-saving vaccines on record-
shattering timeframes.

During this season of gratitude, we also acknowledge
those who cannot be with their families. This includes
the brave American patriots of our Armed Forces who
selflessly defend our sacred liberty at home and
abroad. And we pause to remember the sacrifices of our
law enforcement personnel and first responders. We are
deeply grateful for all those who remain on watch over
the holidays and keep us safe as we celebrate and give
thanks for the blessings in our lives.

This Thanksgiving, we reaffirm our everlasting
gratitude for all that we enjoy, and we commemorate the
legacy of generosity bestowed upon us by our
forbearers. Although challenges remain, we will never
yield in our quest to live up to the promise of our
heritage. As we gather with our loved ones, we resolve
with abiding faith and patriotism to celebrate the joys
of freedom and cherish the hope and peace of a brighter
future ahead.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November
26, 2020, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I
encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places
of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our
many blessings.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord
two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
fifth.