317hTHANKSGIVING <The first Thanksgiving feast was given after the Puri-- tans' first harvest in 1621. It had no special religlous,', significance. In 1623 an abundant rain followed a protracted drouth "for which mercie... they set apart a day of thanksgiving." The first, Thanks-. giving proclamation was issued mn 1668 by the Ply- mouth authorities. The observance of thanksgiving days was common from then on. . . George Wa-.sh- ington issued the first. presidential Thanksgiving proclamation. In 1864,President Lincoln proclaimed «the last Thursday in November" as Thanksgiving Day; this date has been similarly pro clajmed byall succeeding president.s. Member y.derm.1 Deposit InsuWriioe Corporation WIL-bBTTB LIFE