2015 New Hampshire Thanksgiving Proclamation

Today, November 18, 2015, at the statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire, Governor Maggie Hassan proclaimed the Thanksgiving holiday as November 26, 2015.  Members of the New Hampshire Mayflower Society sponsored the celebration and were in attendance at the ceremony.

Members of the NH Mayflower Society, Gov. Hassan (holding the proclamation), and members of the Governor's Council
at the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire 

The State of New Hampshire

By Her Excellency

Margaret Wood Hassan, Governor

A Proclamation

THANKSGIVING DAY

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

WHEREAS,  In 1621, Pilgrim Governor William Bradford issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation to recognize a day of reflection and celebration, to be shared between the Pilgrims and Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale, a famous author and poet from Newport, New Hampshire, wrote thousands of letters advocating for a national celebration of Thanksgiving; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of giving thanks became official in 1863- at the height of the Civil War- when President Abraham Lincoln declared that the fourth Thursday in November should be set aside for personal remembrance as "A Day of Thanksgiving", and each president since has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation; and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving marks the commencement of the holiday season, bringing increased expressions of love, compassion and service, and

WHEREAS, Thanksgiving has grown into one of our Nation's most honored days, a time celebrated with families and friends when we can express gratitude for our many blessings;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARGARET WOOD HASSAN, GOVERNOR of the state of New Hampshire, do hereby proclaim NOVEMBER 26, 2015, as THANKSGIVING DAY in the State of New Hampshire, and I encourage all residents to reflect upon the many offerings of life for which each of us, individually and collectively, can be grateful.

Given this 16th day of November, in the year of

Our Lord two thousand and fifteen, and the

independence of the United States of America,

two hundred and forty.

(signed) Maggie Hassan 

Margaret Wood Hassan

Governor