Thanksgiving Day, 2020, 77343-77344 [2020-26629]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 2, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 77343-77344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26629]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 232 / Wednesday, December 2, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 77343]]

                Proclamation 10121 of November 25, 2020

                
Thanksgiving Day, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for the abundant 
                blessings in our lives. As we gather with family and 
                friends to celebrate this season of generosity, hope, 
                and gratitude, we commemorate America's founding 
                traditions of faith, family, and friendship, and give 
                thanks for the principles of freedom, liberty, and 
                democracy that make our country exceptional in the 
                history of the world.

                This November marks 400 years since the Mayflower and 
                its passengers faced the unknown and set sail across 
                the Atlantic Ocean. Propelled by hope for a brighter 
                future, these intrepid men and women endured two long 
                months at sea, tired and hungry, to arrive in a new 
                world full of potential. In the winter weather that 
                greeted their arrival, they lost nearly half of their 
                fellow travelers to exposure, disease, and starvation. 
                Despite unimaginable hardships, these first Americans 
                nevertheless remained firm in their faith and 
                unwavering in their commitment to their dreams. They 
                forged friendships with the Wampanoag Tribe, fostered a 
                spirit of common purpose among themselves, and trusted 
                in God to provide for them. The following year, they 
                celebrated a successful harvest alongside their Native 
                American neighbors--the first Thanksgiving. This 
                seminal event in the history of our Nation is a 
                continual reminder of the power of faith, love, 
                perseverance, prayer, and fellowship.

                The Mayflower's arrival to the New World in 1620 also 
                marks the arrival of the first seeds of democracy to 
                our land. Absent the rule of a monarch in an uncharted 
                wilderness, these early settlers resolved to create 
                their own government through what is known as the 
                Mayflower Compact. Defined by majority rule through 
                elected leaders responsible for creating ``just and 
                equal laws,'' the Mayflower Compact represents the 
                first chapter in the long tradition of self-
                determination and rule of law in America. One hundred 
                and fifty-six years later, our Nation's Founding 
                Fathers resolved to break free from England, building 
                upon the Mayflower Compact to establish an enduring 
                government whose authority came solely ``from the 
                consent of the governed.''

                This year, as our Nation continues to combat the 
                coronavirus pandemic, we have once again joined 
                together to overcome the challenges facing us. In the 
                midst of suffering and loss, we are witnessing the 
                remarkable courage and boundless generosity of the 
                American people as they come to the aid of those in 
                need, reflecting the spirit of those first settlers who 
                worked together to meet the needs of their community. 
                First responders, medical professionals, essential 
                workers, neighbors, and countless other patriots have 
                served and sacrificed for their fellow Americans, and 
                the prayers of our people have once again lifted up our 
                Nation, providing comfort, healing, and strength during 
                times of uncertainty. Despite unprecedented challenges, 
                we have not faltered in the face of adversity. To the 
                contrary, we have leveraged our strengths to make 
                significant breakthroughs that will end this crisis, 
                rebuilding our stockpiles, revamping our manufacturing 
                capabilities, and developing groundbreaking 
                therapeutics and life-saving vaccines on record-
                shattering timeframes.

[[Page 77344]]

                During this season of gratitude, we also acknowledge 
                those who cannot be with their families. This includes 
                the brave American patriots of our Armed Forces who 
                selflessly defend our sacred liberty at home and 
                abroad. And we pause to remember the sacrifices of our 
                law enforcement personnel and first responders. We are 
                deeply grateful for all those who remain on watch over 
                the holidays and keep us safe as we celebrate and give 
                thanks for the blessings in our lives.

                This Thanksgiving, we reaffirm our everlasting 
                gratitude for all that we enjoy, and we commemorate the 
                legacy of generosity bestowed upon us by our 
                forbearers. Although challenges remain, we will never 
                yield in our quest to live up to the promise of our 
                heritage. As we gather with our loved ones, we resolve 
                with abiding faith and patriotism to celebrate the joys 
                of freedom and cherish the hope and peace of a brighter 
                future ahead.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 
                26, 2020, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I 
                encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places 
                of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our 
                many blessings.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-26629
Filed 12-1-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P