One of our Nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives. The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season. The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives. We take this time to remember the ways that the First Americans have enriched our Nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life. As we come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.

Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story. When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings. Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation "to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."

In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives. Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way. And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.

As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives. Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage the people of the United States to come together whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

(www.whitehouse.gov)

感恩節(jié)是美國最悠久、最寶貴的傳統(tǒng)之一。這個節(jié)日帶給我們更濃郁的親情，令我們反思給予我們豐富多彩的生活的萬般恩典。這個傳統(tǒng)上溯至幾百年前萬帕諾亞格部落和普利茅斯殖民地清教徒移民分享秋收果實的歡慶時節(jié)。當時的盛宴表達了對萬帕諾亞格部落向新移民傳授當地狩獵和農作知識的慷慨友情的贊賞；今天，我們繼續(xù)向所有美洲印第安人和阿拉斯加原住民表示感恩。讓我們值此時刻重溫美國最早期的人們對我國文化傳統(tǒng)的貢獻——他們不僅在數百年前慷慨相助，而且每一天都在為美國生活的各方各面作貢獻。在我們與朋友、家人和鄰居聚首歡慶的日子里，讓我們拋開日常煩惱，為上帝對我們的眷顧而感恩。

雖然我們的傳統(tǒng)與時俱進，但是作為感恩節(jié)核心的恩惠與謙卑精神貫穿于我們歷史的各段篇章，始終如一。喬治·華盛頓總統(tǒng)發(fā)表了美國第一個感恩日公告，感謝慷慨而全能的上帝護衛(wèi)我們年輕的共和國度過風雨莫測的初始階段。幾十年后，亞伯拉罕·林肯總統(tǒng)祈求神靈保佑深領內戰(zhàn)不幸的人們，讓國家重享完全的“和平、和諧、安寧與聯(lián)邦團結”。

無論時逢逆境還是一帆風順，我們通過對恩典和賦予我們生命意義的人們謙卑地表示感恩而得到心靈的升華。今天，讓我們向付出各種犧牲的男女軍人表示感謝，也讓我們心系那些在餐桌邊為值守在險境中的親人留著空位的家庭。面對精簡度日的美國大家庭的成員，讓我們再次向需要幫助的朋友和國人獻出愛心。

當我們聚會在社區(qū)和家中，圍坐在餐桌旁、火爐邊時，我們向彼此表示感謝，我們向將仁慈與溫馨帶到我們生活中的上帝表示感謝。讓我們駐足凝思鼓舞我們的生活的點滴恩惠，并立志來年報恩。

為此，我，美利堅合眾國總統(tǒng)巴拉克·奧巴馬，以美國憲法和法律賦予我的權力，特此宣布2011年11月24日星期四為全國感恩節(jié)。我呼吁美國全體人民，不論是在家中、在敬拜場所、在社區(qū)中心，還是在任何與親朋好友及左鄰右舍歡聚的地方，共同對我們過去一年所得的一切表示感謝，向那些用他們的生命豐富了我們的生活的人表示感謝；并與他人分享自己所受之恩。

我謹于公元2011年11月16日，即美利堅合眾國獨立第236年，親筆在此簽名為證。

巴拉克·奧巴馬

（普特英語）