Sarah Josepha Hale proposes 'an American custom and institution' EDITORIAL "Thanksgiving in Camp, Sketched Thursday 28th 1861" by Alfred R. Waud (Library of Congress) Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving proclamation Philadelphia, Sept. 28th

[Blizzardnh]

Hon. Abraham Lincoln - President of the United States

Sir.–

Permit me, as Editress of the “Lady’s Book”, to request a few minutes of your precious time, while laying before you a subject of deep interest to myself and — as I trust — even to the President of our Republic, of some importance. This subject is to have the day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival.

You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution.

More. http://www.unionleader.com/Sarah-Josepha-Hale-proposes-an-American-custom-and-institution