Revolutionary War Thanksgiving Feast

Who is credited with declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863?

a) Abraham Lincoln

b) Joseph Plumb Martin

c) Continental Congress

The individual credited with declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 is:

a) Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is often credited with declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. He played a significant role in establishing Thanksgiving as a yearly occasion. While Lincoln deserves recognition for this decision, it is important to note that the tradition of giving thanks during challenging times has a deeper historical context.

Thanksgiving celebrations were not new to American history, as the custom had been observed even before the Revolutionary War generation. Colonial governors and legislative bodies had previously declared days for thanksgiving. However, it was in 1777 that the United States as a nation officially designated December 18 as a day for "solemn thanksgiving and praise" through the Continental Congress.

During the Revolutionary War, Joseph Plumb Martin received Half a gill of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar for his Thanksgiving feast. This event reflects the importance of giving thanks in times of hardship and the history of Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States.