Washington prayed for government that would be ‘a blessing to all the people’ (Editorial Board Opinion)

The first presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving day was issued by our nation’s first president, George Washington, in October 1789.

On the same day Congress passed the Bill of Rights, it passed a resolution requesting the president proclaim “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God.”

Washington obliged, using the occasion to urge Americans to unite in gratitude for prevailing in the long war for independence from Britain and “an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness.”

As the United States of America approaches its 250th birthday next year, interest in the American Revolution is peaking. Earlier this month, PBS broadcast a six-pa