"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to 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 form of government for their safety and happiness."

"Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us."

"And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."

"Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789."

--President George Washington, 3 October 1789

And a news item reflecting what those of us here at SWJ are giving thanks for today and everyday: US Reports ‘Phenomenal’ Drop in Iraq Violence - Stephen Fidler, Financial Times.

Violence in Iraq has fallen at a rate that has surprised military commanders and even one of the architects of the “surge” that boosted US troop numbers in the country this year, according to figures gathered by the US.

The figures show the numbers of suicide attacks, roadside bombings, mortar and other attacks on US forces and on the Iraqi population have more than halved since 30,000 extra troops in June...

What the Pilgrims Saw in 1620 – Wall Street Journal editorial
Worthy to Be Remembered – Washington Times editorial
Celebrating a Uniquely American Holiday – Miami Herald editorial
For Which We Give Thanks - New York Post editorial
A Soldier's Thanksgiving Overseas – Matthew Strasser, Miami Herald
Pause to Bless - Michelle Malkin, New York Post
A Soldier's Thanksgiving - Gary Bauer, Human Events
American Foreign Policy - Tim Montgomerie, London Times
The Art of (Hip-Hop) Diplomacy – John Ferguson, Christian Science Monitor
The Kosovo Conundrum – London Daily Telegraph editorial
Musharraf and the Con Game – Robert Kagan, Washington Post
Trying to Save Lebanon, Again – New York Times editorial
Spark in Lebanon – Washington Post editorial
Ian Smith Has Sadly Been Proven Right - Graham Boynton, London Daily Telegraph
The Skeleton in ASEAN’s Closet – Boston Globe editorial
Let Them Eat JDAMs – William Arkin, Washington Post
The United Nations is Always Right – Maggie Gallagher, Real Clear Politics
U.N. Further Weakens Human Rights Council - Brett Schaefer, Human Events
Putin’s Version of Democracy – Simon Tisdall, Guardian
Human Rights at Risk – Joshua Rubenstein, Boston Globe