George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

An excellent website; The Papers of George Washington, in timely fashion, features his Thanksgiving Proclamation:

On 25 September 1789, Elias Boudinot of Burlington, New Jersey, introduced in the United States House of Representatives a resolution "That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness."

You might want to read the entire piece...not too lengthy. Notice that it was referred to as "Thanksgiving" not "Turkey Day!"