[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 3741
 
PROCLAMATION 8458--NOV. 20, 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.
BARACK OBAMA