AQS254855 Proclamation from President George Washington (1732-99) setting apart Thursday, 19th February as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, 1795 (newsprint) by American School, (18th century); American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; (add.info.: following the wars with England, Washington believed the country should reflect and give thanks to God for the newly achieved peace and security of the new nation; secular holiday of Thanksgiving is celebrated on the third Thursday in November;); 穢 Courtesy, American Antiquarian Society ; American, out of copyright.