[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 46 (Monday, November 24, 2008)]
[Pages 1440-1441]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8322--Thanksgiving Day, 2008

 November 21, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together 
and express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we 
enjoy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of 
these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from 
Almighty God.

    Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came 
to America in search of religious freedom and a better life. Having 
arrived in the New World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author 
of Life for granting them safe passage to this abundant land and 
protecting them through a bitter winter. Our Nation's first President, 
George Washington, stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation that 
``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.'' While in the midst of the 
Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of 
proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and 
restore our country.

    Today, as we look back on the beginnings of our democracy, Americans 
recall that we live in a land of many blessings where every person has 
the right to live, work, and worship in freedom. Our Nation is 
especially thankful for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who 
protect these rights while setting aside their own comfort and safety. 
Their courage keeps us free, their sacrifice makes us grateful, and 
their character makes us proud. Especially during the holidays, our 
whole country keeps them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

    Americans are also mindful of the need to share our gifts with 
others, and our Nation is moved to compassionate action. We pay tribute 
to all caring citizens who reach out a helping hand and serve a cause 
larger than themselves.

    On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation's 
first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch 
over our families and our country always.

     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 27, 2008, as 
a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather 
together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and 
loved ones to strengthen the ties that bind us and give thanks for the 
freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.

                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., November 
25, 2008]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
November 26. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of this proclamation.

[[Page 1441]]