In 1789, President George Washington issued a general proclamation naming November 26 a day of National Thanksgiving. At the same time that year, the PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH announced that the first Thursday in November would be set aside YEARLY for giving thanks. In 1888 the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH formally recognized the day.
The religious aspect of the first Thanksgiving celebration is obvious in this passage from the first Thanksgiving Proclamation, June 20th, 1676 [where it mentions JC]:
"The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by J---S C----T."
As for us, we Jews already have the Succos Holiday – as mandated by the Tora! – to thank OUR G-d for all bounty!
Stay away from the serious issue of 'chukois hagoy' by NOT celebrating 'Thanksgiving'; especially not with turkey etc.



