NEW YORK HERALD, October 4, 1863  Although almost every President since George Washington has issued a proclamation for a "day of thanksgiving", typically celebrated in November but at other times of the year as well, it was Abraham Lincoln who formalized Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated the fourth Thursday of every year and making it a national holiday.
On page 4 is the complete text headed: "The National Thanksgiving Day" "A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America" which is signed in type: Abraham Lincoln.
There are numerous websites giving the complete text of this Proclamation--identical to what appears in this newspaper--which Lincoln wrote on October 3, the day before the edition of this newspaper.
Additionally, this issue has a nice front page print of: "One of Laird's Rebel Iron-Clad Rams" and various reports from the Civil 'War, but they pale in comparison to the significance of Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation.
Eight pages, minor wear at margins, a few stains to the front leaf, good condition.