York in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The First National Thanksgiving

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020

1. The First National Thanksgiving Marker

Inscription. Was proclaimed from York by the Continental Congress on November 1, 1777 to be celebrated on Thursday, December 18. It was written by Sam Adams of Massachusetts. "The Father of the Revolution," who advocated for the first time "one day of public thanksgiving" for all of the states after the battle of Saratoga. "That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts."

Erected by Various Historical and Patriotic Societies and The National Thanksgiving Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1777.

Location. 39° 57.777′ N, 76° 43.597′ W. Marker is in York, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is on E. Market Street 0.2 miles east of George Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: York PA 17403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The York Fair (a few steps from this marker); "Men who don't often weep wept then" (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Global War on Terrorism (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette Club (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in York.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2020

2. The First National Thanksgiving Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,289 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on November 19, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.