President Lincoln issued his “Thanksgiving Proclamation” on October 3, 1863, during the civil war. Lincoln hoped to promote healing and gratitude in a war-weary nation. Our country was deeply divided. In an effort of national unity, Lincoln declared a Thanksgiving celebration of shared good fortune during even the hardest of times. Thanksgiving was intended to provide hope to those on both sides of the Mason-Dixon suffering a terrible loss from the war.

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