From Washington to Lincoln, a Day Shaped by Providence and the American Spirit Thanksgiving has always been more than a date on the calendar. It is one of the oldest national traditions we possess — a reminder that from the very beginning, Americans have been a people who pause, look upward, and give thanks for blessings we know we did not create on our own. Across generations, through prosperity and hardship alike, this day has anchored the nation in gratitude. In 1789 , Pre