No other holiday that is today widely observed in North America bas such a long and curious history as Thanksgiving. Throughout the Bible, there are references to the Israelites setting apart days for special thanksgiving to the Lord. Such days were common in England before the reformation and afterwards figured in the lives of the Protestants. In 1872, February 27 was set aside as a day of thanksgiving for the Prince of Wales' recovery from typhoid fever, for example. But these were only days of thanksgiving. The real, distinctively American Thanksgiving Day is a legacy of the Pilgrims--the English colonists, led by separatists from the Church of England--who arrived in America in December 1620 aboard the Mayflower and founded Ply- mouth Colony. During the winter after arriving in the New World, 47 of the 103 Mayflower passengers died, but the remainder did not lose hope. By spring, each family had a home, and all were planting grains they had brought with them and corn given them by friendly Wampanoag Indians. They were eating fish the Indians bad taught them how to net, along with wild game from the woods. In gratitude for the plenteous harvest, Governor Bradford set aside December 13, 1621 (old style. calendar) for feasting and celebration. There was no specific day of thanksgiving set aside in 1622. But in 1623, Thanksgiving Day was so devoted to showing gratitude to God, rather than to social activity, that some authorities say it was the real beginning of Thanksgiving as we know it today. After the hard, severe winter of 1622 - 23, the Pilgrims planted seeds. Governor Bradford wrote that they hoped for a large crop, but suffered a drought from May till July. After discussing the situation with the worried colonists, Governor Bradford ordered a day of prayer and fasting, during which the Pilgrims were to humble themselves before the Lord. The crops were saved, and, after the harvest, 'another solemn day was set apart for returning glory, honor and praise, with all thankfulness, to our Good God.' During the following years throughout New England, there were specific days of thanksgiving-sometimes once a year, sometimes twice. Sometimes a year was skipped. The part of the day spent in religious services varied, at least partially in keeping with the colonists' and the preachers' assessment of just how much they had to be thankful for at that particular time. George Washington was inaugurated president of the United States on April 30, 1789, and a few months later issued his first proclamation. It had to do with Thanksgiving. In September, a few days before Congress adjourned, Rep. Elias Boudinot made a motion that the president be requested to recommend a day of prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings of the Almighty God, and particularly for His allowing them to establish a government that would provide safety and happiness. The motion was carried, and President Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, to be Thanksgiving Day. According to the passage, ______.