Which president of the United States made Thanksgiving a national American holiday?

Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving day as a national holiday. But it wouldn't be done without Sarah Josepha Hale and her campaign for making Thanksgiving an official holiday. She was running it for 17 years and wrote letters to other presidents. Lincoln was finally convinced. Hale was a writer and editor, she is well-known for writting "Mary Had a Little Lamb".

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23 Comments

Mary Prentice

FYI. Benjamin Franklin was never the President.

Vincent L Zirpoli

Thanksgiving seems to represent the thread that has kept America strong and straight despite all the attempts of the far left to destroy its' Christian/Judeo foundation. Trust In God and Thankfulness to him for the opportunities and abundance he has given us.

wandajaneburlinson

He did so many good things for this country.

Maia

Celeste Greig, back in Lincoln's day, Republicans were the compassionate political party!!

Christine Kiroff-Klopp

I didn’t know about Sarah Hale. Very interesting !!

Patty K

Brad Schwebler, probably because he wanted to make the Turkey the national bird of US

Cheryl McMeekin

Franklin was not a President, but still a good question.

erik hughes

badgerrick, the Republicans back then WERE the liberal party. I think you may be on the autistic spectrum - you should see someone about that and get tested. For autism and - other things...

erik hughes

Celeste Greig, of course, the Republicans back then were much more like the Democrats of today.

Celeste Greig

I was right, it had to be a Republican👍🙏🏽

Howard Groopman

Ben Franklin never a president.

Dena Barrett

The question should be more specific. George Washington was the first person to declare a national day of Thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln decals it officially the third Thursday of movement. FDR attempted to change it to specific date instead of a stable day. He tried for several years but finally admitted it was a mistake and signed legislation officially returning it to the 3rd Thursday in November.