How Congress Forged Thanksgiving | The Daily Caller

The history of Thanksgiving in the United States goes far beyond Pilgrims and turkey — its origins as a national holiday rooted in congressional action.

Just one year after the colonies declared independence, during the Revolutionary War, American forces suffered a string of defeats — including the fall of New York City and Washington’s retreat across New Jersey — forcing Congress to flee Philadelphia, according to a 1777.org report. (RELATED: Thanksgiving Is Dying, One Turkey-Free Dinner At A Time)

The Second Continental Congress, which was convening in York, Pennsylvania, following the British capture of Philadelphia, on Nov. 1, 1777, proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving and praise to celebrate the American victory at Saratoga.

May your holiday be filled with family, friends, nature, and happiness. From all of us at Interior, have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃

Photo by Christopher Johnson pic.twitter.com/kCAKUYjFM1

— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) November 26, 2025

Although the Plymouth colonists from England did have a harvest celebration in the autumn of 1621 with members of the Native American Wampanoag tribe — an event often acknowledged as one of the first celebrations of Thanksgiving and the precursor to the modern holiday, according to History.com — the tradition as a national holiday developed much later.

General George Washington, the commander-in-chief of all Continental forces, later to become the first president of the United States, issued General Orders designating Dec. 18, 1777 — a day that was observed by all 13 states — “for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise.”

The day was originally designated to encourage military leaders and their forces, asking for the wisdom and strength needed to help secure the new nation’s greatest hopes — independence and peace.

Following the end of the Revolutionary War, on Sept. 28, 1789, the First Federal Congress asked President George Washington to proclaim Nov. 26 as a national day of thanksgiving, marking the first such observance under the U.S. Constitution, according to the National Archives Center for Legislative Archives.

Washington followed through two months later, declaring Thursday, Nov. 26, a national day of thanksgiving — the first official Thanksgiving under the new government. While later presidents issued similar proclamations, the timing varied for decades.

It wasn’t until Republican President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation that Thanksgiving became a consistent annual observance, set for the last Thursday in November, according to the United States House of Representatives History, Art and Archives historical highlights.

A few years later, in 1870, Congress formally made Thanksgiving a national holiday, along with Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Independence Day. Unlike the other holidays, however, the law allowed the president to choose the exact date.

Nearly every president followed Lincoln’s tradition by proclaiming Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November — a practice that continued with only a few exceptions until President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1939, Thanksgiving fell on the final Thursday of November, which that year was also the last day of the month. Worried that a shorter holiday shopping season could hurt the struggling economy, Roosevelt moved the holiday to the second-to-last Thursday, according to the National Archives.

A controversial Presidential decree has split Americans over Thanksgiving. President Roosevelt has ordered US holiday moved forward to this week, to try & stretch out Christmas shopping & help economy. Opponents deride “Franksgiving” & will celebrate next week. pic.twitter.com/BgAs2gp8IN

— Second World War tweets from 1941 (@RealTimeWWII) November 22, 2025

Despite public backlash from those who favored the traditional late-November date, the president again moved Thanksgiving earlier in 1940, sparking what came to be known as the “Franksgiving” chaos. (RELATED: Opinion MR. RIGHT: How To Politely Nuke The Liberals At Your Thanksgiving Dinner)

The decision divided the country, with 32 states adopting the new date and 16 sticking to the original, leading to two competing Thanksgiving holidays for two years. To end the confusion, Congress moved to standardize Thanksgiving in 1941. The House first backed the last Thursday in November, but the Senate changed it to the fourth Thursday to account for longer months, according to the historical highlights.

The final measure passed both chambers after the House approved Republican Michigan Rep. Earl Michener’s bill on Oct. 6. President Roosevelt signed it into law on Dec. 26, officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as a legal public holiday, beginning in 1942.