President George Washington was the one who signed the first national Thanksgiving proclamation in the United States. The proclamation was signed on October 3, 1789, and it designated November 26 of that year as a national day of thanksgiving. This proclamation came about as a result of a request from Congress, who asked Washington to issue a proclamation to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer."

Washington's proclamation set the precedent for future presidents to issue similar proclamations, establishing Thanksgiving as an annual tradition in the United States. However, it wasn't until 1863 that Thanksgiving was officially declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, and it is a time for Americans to come together with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings in their lives. The holiday is typically marked by a feast featuring traditional dishes such as turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Thanksgiving and the significance of the proclamation signed by President Washington, you can visit the Mount Vernon website for more information.

In conclusion, President George Washington was the one who signed the first national Thanksgiving proclamation in the United States in 1789. His proclamation set the stage for Thanksgiving to become an annual tradition in the United States, culminating in its official designation as a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Today, Thanksgiving is a time for Americans to come together and give thanks for the blessings in their lives.

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