Over 200 years ago, President George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving, to be observed by “acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Washington recognized the blessings that built this nation and created this great “land of opportunity.” For hundreds of years people across the world have come to our nation to receive its many blessings, and to pursue the “American Dream” under the laws of nature and nature’s God.

Abraham Lincoln, in 1863 amidst the terrible violence of our Civil War, echoed Washington in hoping and praying for the eventual “full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”

But, as you know, the foundations of American exceptionalism that Washington, Lincoln, and so many of our nation’s statesmen have cherished are under attack. America’s meaning and purpose are once again an open question in our national political conversation.

I have long been thankful for organizations like the Claremont Institute that work to defend our constitution and to advance the meaning of America and Americanism, properly understood—especially in tumultuous times like the present.

I am most thankful for friends and allies like you. Without your continued generous support, the Claremont Institute would not exist and we would be unable to pursue our mission of restoring the American idea. Your support helps us to continue to place ourselves at the center of the national argument about the most important national questions.

I encourage you to explore the many opportunities to invest in our work so that we can continue to pursue our mission together.

I wanted to take this occasion of our great national holiday of Thanksgiving to thank you, on behalf of the Claremont Institute, our Board of Directors, and staff, for your support and generosity, and for fighting the good fight alongside us. Here’s to a holiday (and a country—fondly do we pray, fervently do we hope) full of civic peace, harmony, and good cheer.

With Thanks,

Ryan P. Williams

President, Claremont Institute