Words from Our Founders: George Washington, Pt. 1

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. In honor of our upcoming Independence Day, we are publishing daily quotes from our nation’s founders highlighting the high esteem they had for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

The following is a proclamation issued by George Washington on October 3, 1789.  It is among the greatest calls to prayer and thanksgiving issued by any United States President, and carries a message still relevant to us today.

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 thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

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