| Ever since the traditional "first Thanksgiving"" | | | | be a day set aside for prayer and fasting. |
| celebration in 1621, there have been many | | | | Later in the 18th century it was common for each of |
| subsequent celebrations. I have read that the first | | | | the states to periodically designate a day of |
| recorded Thanksgiving observance was held on June | | | | thanksgiving in honor of a military victory, an adoption |
| 29, 1671 at Charlestown, Massachusetts by | | | | of a state constitution, or an abundant crop. There |
| proclamation of the town's governing council. | | | | was a Thanksgiving Day celebration in December of |
| During the 1700s, it was common practice for | | | | 1777 by the colonies nationwide, commemorating the |
| individual colonies to observe days of thanksgiving | | | | surrender of the British at Saratoga. |
| throughout each year. Those observances were to | | | | |