39. Abraham Lincoln Declares Thanksgiving a Federal Holiday
During 1863, the United States of America was in the middle of the Civil War. The country was divided over the issue of slavery, which was something President Abraham Lincoln never wanted. Therefore, to try to unite the civilians of the United States and bring thoughts of thanks into their lives, Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday. Lincoln stated that the new national holiday should bring “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”