The virtue America forgot: Why gratitude still matters for our national character

In his Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington urged Americans to acknowledge “with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God…” (iStock)

It would be interesting to know how often parents hear their children say, “We learned to bethankful for our country in schooltoday.”

Pick acollegeand look at its list of American history courses.You’ll likely find descriptions with words like “exploitation,” “oppression,” “imperialism,” and “exclusion.” You probably won’t find many with phrases such as “the miracle of America” or “achievements of the American spirit.”

Certainly, the United States has at times fallen short of its ideals.It has committed sins—some grievous.But for all its errors, ours is the story of a great nation that gives us much to be thankful for.

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If we teach young people to roll their eyes—or worse—at their own country’s past, while neglecting toteach them gratitudefor it, we’re not being fair to them.In fact, it’sa recipe for cultural decline.

In our political discourse, we spend a lot of time — understandably — on our problems.There’s much to discuss.Too many Americans wake up worrying about making ends meet, finding a job, or paying medical bills.

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But let’s not leave our national blessings out of the conversation.America has the world’s strongest and most resilienteconomy.No other country offers more opportunity to climb the ladder of success.We enjoy freedoms that millions around the world would love to have.American companies lead the world in scientific advancement.

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� �Friends,” Sen.John Fetterman, D-Pa., took a moment to express gratitude for his life and his country.When asked, “What’s next for Senator Fetterman?” he replied, “My future is to celebrate Thanksgiving.” It was a refreshing answer.

Our nation’s greatest leaders emphasized gratitude.In hisThanksgiving Proclamation of 1789, President George Washington urged Americans to acknowledge “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.”

George Washington, portrait painting by Constable-Hamilton, 1794.From the New York Public Library.(Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

The tradition of giving thanksas one people runs deep in the American spirit.Ours is one of the few nations in the world to set aside a day every year specifically to offer thanks.The United States was arguably the first country to establish an annualDay of Thanksgivingwith Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation.That’s something we can all be proud of.

“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621,” is a painting from 1914 and currently part of a private Collection.Artist Brownscombe, Jennie Augusta (1850-1936). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

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In these days of fierce partisan divide, when Americans wonder how we can come together to tackle formidable problems, perhaps shared gratitude is a first step toward setting things right.“In everything give thanks,”the Bible says.

That’s good advice.Sharing thanks — like breaking bread — might do wonders to bring Americans together.

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William J.Bennett joined FNC as a contributor in 2017.

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The former Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan and the nation’s first Drug Czar under President George H.W.Bush, Bennett is one of America’s most recognized voices on cultural, political and educational issues.He also served as a professor at Boston University, the University of Texas, and Harvard University.

A native of Brooklyn in New York City, Bennett studied philosophy at Williams College (B.A.) and the University of Texas (Ph.D.) and earned a law degree (J.D.) from Harvard.

In addition to his role at FNC, Bennett currently serves as chairman of Resilience Learning and is the Founding Provost of Jefferson Classical Academies.He has written or co-authored more than 25 books, including the Book of Virtues.