From 1775 to 1784, the Congresses of the United States issued sixteen separate spiritual proclamations, calling Americans to humble themselves, fast, pray, and give thanks to God. Few realize that during the American War of Independence, Congress issued spiritual proclamations to the thirteen states in which they asked citizens to seek the Lord in one of the darkest moments of the nation's history. Having been told for decades that America was birthed by deists, few Americans today can imagine that at one time Congress asked pastors to read their proclamations from their pulpits. In addition, Congress also asked that citizens cease their labor and gather into churches to observe the spiritual proclamations they issued. Citizens who truly wish to know what America's Founding Fathers were like must read the spiritual proclamations of Congress for themselves.