ref: Wikipedia - Thanksgiving
1619, December 4
A group of 38 settlers held a day of Thanksgiving after arriving at Berkeley Hundred, on the north bank of the James River in Virginia.
1621
After their first harvest, early settlers of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, the Pilgrims, held a 3-day celebration of food, feasting, and praising God together with Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe.
1776, March 16
A precursor to the Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by John Hancock as President of the Continental Congress of the United Colonies, entitled "Fast Day Proclamation".
1777, December 18
The first official Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by Henry Laurens as President of the Continental Congress of the United States.
1789
President George Washington designated a national Thanksgiving Holiday for the newly ratified Constitution.
1789-1797
President George Washington issued two national Thanksgiving Proclamations.
1797-1801
President John Adams issued two national Thanksgiving Proclamations.
1801-1809
President Thomas Jefferson made no Thanksgiving Proclamations.
1809-1815
President James Madison issued two national Thanksgiving Proclamations.
1861-1865
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November a "prayerful day of Thanksgiving."
1939-1941
President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941).
