Peace Meditation Group choir was invited to open historic commemoration of the 200th anniversary of America’s Thanksgiving Day in Valley Forge.

The singers performed Sri Chinmoy’s Songs “World Gratitude” and “O My America” which marked the original Thanksgiving observed by George Washington 18 Dec 1977. The event sponsored by National Thanksgiving Foundation was celebrated by the representatives of the armed forces, the clergy and the international community.

See also reference in : Meditation at the United Nations – Monthly Bulletin of Mediation Group Vol 5 No 12, 27 Dec 1977,.Page 64 – 65

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The Institution of the National Thanksgiving Commission at Valley Forge in the Washington Memorial Chapel, concluded with a benediction by Jewish, Christian and Islamic representatives, symbolizing mankind’s oneness in gratitude to God.

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 THANKS

GIVING

SQUARE

January 16, J978

National Thanksgiving Foundation

Dear Sri Chinrnoy,

The (Peace Meditation Group at the UN ) Singers at Valley Forge started the national celebration oí the 200th anniversary oí Arnerica’s First Thanksgiving as a nation. We wanted to extress our thanks to you as (leader) and also to the Singers as a body for the beautiful words and music that were received by those attending.

As (Leader) you have given continual support to the spiritual traditions which have made America great and good. You are giving inspiration to your students and to the world at large through the songs that we received – “America” and “World Gratitude”.

For this beautiful moment we owe you personal thanks because your support made it possible.

We were sorry that your pressing engagements would not allow you to attend, but we were grateful that your personal representative, (Adhiratha) Kevin Keefe, could come.

At Valley Forge, at the moment of beginning of the deepest spiritual tradition we enjoy as a nation, we were rewarded with a vision of the people from many countries over the world who have joined with others on the American continent in serving the highest goals of the New World.

Sincerely,

NATIONAL THANKSGIVING FOUNDATION

Peter Stewart

President

3141 ONE MAIN PLACE. DALLAS, TEXAS 75250 • AREA CODE 214 651 -17i7

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More Photos from event to be added when available:

 

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Click on image below for larger or different resolution photo- Image:

HISTORICAL NOTES:

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USA 1774 Prayer Unites People

The first issue of the First Continental Congress as they met at Carpenters Hall was “Can we open the business with prayer?” Despite their diversity of religions, after fierce debate, inspired by delegate Sam Adams, their first official act was prayer – with remarkable results. From the first day, miraculous unity seemed to have held the far-flung colonies together.

**The First Prayer Proclamation of 1775 asked the whole continent to set aside a day to pray and fast together. It had an electric effect, uniting the American people in spirit, a year before the Declaration of Independence.

USA 1776 Valley Forge – The First Thanksgiving

On the day Congress appointed, George Washington and his troops, moving close to Valley Forge, deliberately stopped in bitter weather in the open fields to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. As one early surgeon put it, “Mankind is never truly thankful for the benefits of life, until they have experience the want of them.” Two hundred years later at Valley Forge the National Thanksgiving Commission was instituted in the George Washington Chapel.

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