Was Thanksgiving Holiday First Proclaimed in 1864 By Lincoln?

[muzzleloader]

During The Civil War(November 24th,1864,a Thursday while Sherman was in Georgia marching to the Sea). True?

[ole]

That's the story, muzzleloader.

There were observations of Thanksgiving in many areas, sections, and subsections of the country. Lincoln made it a national holiday. The actual history is a bit more detailed with the name of the lady who lobbied for it, etc., but that's it in a nutshell.

Ole

[lrd89]

Text of Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgproclamation.html

Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

[samgrant]

1863, Sherman licking wounds at Chattanooga, not marching. ??

[ole]

Quite right, Sam. I zeroed in on the act and didn't notice the date.
Ole

[blue_zouave]

Originally Posted by samgrant

1863, Sherman licking wounds at Chattanooga, not marching. ??

Battle of Chattanooga was over by that particular day, with the Union victorious and Bragg's boys hightailing it into Georgia. A good day for Thanksgiving!

Zou