President Obama’s brief proclamation of Thanksgiving Day on November 26 was unique among all recorded Thanksgiving proclamations by his predecessors: it is the first one that fails to directly acknowledge the existence of God. […]
Obama’s unprecedented proclamation, however, only makes indirect mention of God by quoting George Washington, stating: “Today, we recall President George Washington, who proclaimed our first national day of public thanksgiving to be observed ‘by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.'”
The proclamation goes on to call Thanksgiving Day “a unique national tradition we all share” that unites people as “thankful for our common blessings.”
“This is a time for us to renew our bonds with one another, and we can fulfill that commitment by serving our communities and our Nation throughout the year,” it continues.
All other presidential Thanksgiving proclamations directly refer to “God,” “Providence,” or another appellation for the divine being.
(via Accelerating Future)
December 2, 2009 at 12:51 am
He’s also the first President of the United States who recited the Oath of Office with no Bible…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5567187.ece