Example 1777 World Events

First Thanksgiving Pro

TOC

On November 1, 1777 the Continental Congress proclaimed the new United States’ first national day of thanksgiving. Congress wrote: “ It is therefore recommended to the Legislative or executive Powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the eighteenth Day of December next , for solemn Thanksgiving and Praise ” This holiday was to commemorate our victory at the Battle of Saratoga. Neither on November 1 st , when this resolution was passed, nor on December 18 th , when the population celebrated, were Americans aware that on December 17 the French would finally formalize a military and trade alliance with the rebelling states. The victory at Saratoga convinced the French king that the Americans might be worthy allies. Having a national day of thanksgiving was a major step in creating an American national identity. Previously the colonies celebrated individually or as part of the British Empire. Now they experienced together a nation-wide event that would affect them, all and formalized a celebration that involved them all. From colonies to states – from states to a nation.