Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1876

No. 3.
By the President of the United States of America:

A PROCLAMATION.

The Centennial Anniversary of the day on which the people of the United States declared their right to a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth seems to demand an exceptional observance.

The founders of the Government at its birth and in its feebleness invoked the blessings and the protection of a Divine Providence, and the thirteen colonies and three millions of people have expanded into a nation of strength and numbers, commanding the position which then was asserted, and for which fervent prayers were then offered.

It seems fitting that on the occurrence of the hundredth anniversary of our existence as a nation, a grateful acknowledgment should be made to Almighty God for the protection and the bounties which He has vouchsafed to our beloved country.

I, therefore, invite the good people of the United States, on the approaching fourth day of July, in addition to the usual observances with which they are accustomed to greet the return of the day, further, in such manner and at such time, as, in their respective localities and religious associations, may be most convenient, to mark its recurrence by some public religious and devout thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings which have been bestowed upon us as a nation during the century of our existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of His favor and of His protection.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[seal.] Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundredth.

U. S. GRANT.

By the President:
Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.