[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 70679-70680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28808]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 70679]]


                Proclamation 8908 of November 20, 2012

                
Thanksgiving Day, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Thanksgiving Day, Americans everywhere gather with 
                family and friends to recount the joys and blessings of 
                the past year. This day is a time to take stock of the 
                fortune we have known and the kindnesses we have 
                shared, grateful for the God-given bounty that enriches 
                our lives. As many pause to lend a hand to those in 
                need, we are also reminded of the indelible spirit of 
                compassion and mutual responsibility that has 
                distinguished our Nation since its earliest days.

                Many Thanksgivings have offered opportunities to 
                celebrate community during times of hardship. When the 
                Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony gave thanks for a bountiful 
                harvest nearly four centuries ago, they enjoyed the 
                fruits of their labor with the Wampanoag tribe--a 
                people who had shared vital knowledge of the land in 
                the difficult months before. When President George 
                Washington marked our democracy's first Thanksgiving, 
                he prayed to our Creator for peace, union, and plenty 
                through the trials that would surely come. And when our 
                Nation was torn by bitterness and civil war, President 
                Abraham Lincoln reminded us that we were, at heart, one 
                Nation, sharing a bond as Americans that could bend but 
                would not break. Those expressions of unity still echo 
                today, whether in the contributions that generations of 
                Native Americans have made to our country, the Union 
                our forebears fought so hard to preserve, or the 
                providence that draws our families together this 
                season.

                As we reflect on our proud heritage, let us also give 
                thanks to those who honor it by giving back. This 
                Thanksgiving, thousands of our men and women in uniform 
                will sit down for a meal far from their loved ones and 
                the comforts of home. We honor their service and 
                sacrifice. We also show our appreciation to Americans 
                who are serving in their communities, ensuring their 
                neighbors have a hot meal and a place to stay. Their 
                actions reflect our age-old belief that we are our 
                brothers' and sisters' keepers, and they affirm once 
                more that we are a people who draw our deepest strength 
                not from might or wealth, but from our bonds to each 
                other.

                On Thanksgiving Day, individuals from all walks of life 
                come together to celebrate this most American 
                tradition, grateful for the blessings of family, 
                community, and country. Let us spend this day by 
                lifting up those we love, mindful of the grace bestowed 
                upon us by God and by all who have made our lives 
                richer with their presence.

                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 
                22, 2012, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I 
                encourage the people of the United States to join 
                together--whether in our homes, places of worship, 
                community centers, or any place of fellowship for 
                friends and neighbors--and give thanks for all we have 
                received in the past year, express appreciation to 
                those whose lives enrich our own, and share our bounty 
                with others.

[[Page 70680]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-28808
Filed 11-26-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3