1789 - Religion

Religion

The Bible used for President Washington's swearing-in belongs to the St. John's Lodge No. 1. Washington has been a Freemason since 1752, Robert R. Livingston has been grand master of New York State's Freemasons since 1784, and by 1800 the city will have 10 lodges (see 1739). The First Amendment to the Constitution mandating separation of Church and state will not come into effect until 1791, and for more than 2 centuries thereafter custom will take precedence over that mandate as legislative sessions open with prayers and courts use Bibles for swearing in witnesses (see 1826).

President Washington issues the first Thanksgiving Proclamation November 26, but few states will observe the secular holiday that celebrates the assistance given by Native Americans to the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620 (see 1863).