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This statue of Washington is to be found in Trafalgar Square, London. As the inscription reads, the statue was "Presented to the people of Great Britain and Ireland by the Commonwealth of Virginia" in 1924. (simonbradfield / Getty Images)

Why Did Washington and Lincoln Reference God's 'Providence' in Their Thanksgiving Proclamations?

By Randy DeSoto November 27, 2025 at 3:30am

Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln included the word “Providence” in Thanksgiving proclamations while serving as president.

It is a word that is not as common in current times, so it’s worth digging a little deeper as to what these men were referencing.

Webster’s dictionary defines it as “God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny.”

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Tags:

Abraham Lincoln, American history, Faith, George Washington, God, History

Randy DeSoto

Contributing Journalist

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."

@RandyDeSoto

Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.

Birthplace

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated dean's list from West Point

Education

United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law

Books Written

We Hold These Truths

Professional Memberships

Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars