President Buchanan designates January 4, 1861 as a national day of fasting and prayer

In a message to the people, President James Buchanan designated Friday, January 4, 1861 as a day to be "set apart for fasting, humiliation, and prayer throughout the nation."  This event took place on the assigned day three weeks later.  In Philadelphia, for example, special services were held in the leading churches while public buildings were closed, along with many places of business.  (By John Osborne) 
Source Citation
"Documents," in  Frank Moore, The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc. (New York: G.P.Putnam, 1861), I: 17.
Thomas Scharf and Thompson Wescott, History of Philadelphia 1609-1884, in three volumes (Philadelphia, PA: L.H. Everts & Co., 1884), 1: 743.
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Type
    Lawmaking/Litigating
    How to Cite This Page: "President Buchanan designates January 4, 1861 as a national day of fasting and prayer," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/34910.