Thanksgiving Day - National Holiday- Influence of Godey's Lady's Book
Godey's Arm-Chair, October, 1856
THANKSGIVING DAY .— Shall it be celebrated throughout our whole country on the same day ? That is the question. We hope our readers will be unanimous in favor of this measure. Let it be made an American festival, and held on the third Thursday of November (which falls, this year, on the twentieth) throughout all coming years. If the ladies of the nation unite on this day ; the Governors of the several States will surely issue their proclamations in accordance with the popular voice. So let us petition that Thanksgiving Day be held on the third Thursday in November.
Editor's Table, September, 1860
Hale's Letter to President Lincoln, September, 1863
See the letter at the Library of Congress Sarah Hale wrote to President Lincoln on September 28, 1863 promoting Thanksgiving as a National Holiday.
It is noted at the Library of Congress site that President Lincoln issued a Proclamation on October 3 urging Americans to observe the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.