Thanksgiving Day, 2009

Proclamation 8458 of November 20, 2009

Thanksgiving Day, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

What began as a harvest celebration between European
settlers and indigenous communities nearly four
centuries ago has become our cherished tradition of
Thanksgiving. This day's roots are intertwined with
those of our Nation, and its history traces the
American narrative.

Today, we recall President George Washington, who
proclaimed our first national day of public
thanksgiving to be observed ``by acknowledging with
grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty
God,'' and President Abraham Lincoln, who established
our annual Thanksgiving Day to help mend a fractured
Nation in the midst of civil war. We also recognize the
contributions of Native Americans, who helped the early
colonists survive their first harsh winter and continue
to strengthen our Nation. From our earliest days of
independence, and in times of tragedy and triumph,
Americans have come together to celebrate Thanksgiving.

As Americans, we hail from every part of the world.
While we observe traditions from every culture,
Thanksgiving Day is a unique national tradition we all
share. Its spirit binds us together as one people, each
of us thankful for our common blessings.

As we gather once again among loved ones, let us also
reach out to our neighbors and fellow citizens in need
of a helping hand. This is a time for us to renew our
bonds with one another, and we can fulfill that
commitment by serving our communities and our Nation
throughout the year. In doing so, we pay tribute to our
country's men and women in uniform who set an example
of service that inspires us all. Let us be guided by
the legacy of those who have fought for the freedoms
for which we give thanks, and be worthy heirs to the
noble tradition of goodwill shown on this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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, 2009, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I
encourage all the people of the United States to come
together, whether in our homes, places of worship,
community centers, or any place where family, friends
and neighbors may gather, with gratitude for all we
have received in the past year; to express appreciation
to those whose lives enrich our own; and to share our
bounty with others.

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