The Continental Congress proclaimed from York on November 1, 1777, that Thursday, December 18 would be celebrated as a day of public thanksgiving for all of the states after the battle of Saratoga. It was written by Sam Adams of Massachusetts, "The Father of the Revolution," who advocated for the first time one day of public thanksgiving for all of the states so that "with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts."