Excerpts from Books and Wikipedia
"Even as the Continental Army huddled by fires at Valley Forge, Benjamin Franklin pulled off a magnificent diplomatic feat in the opulent ministries of Paris. . . . Washington was exultant as tears of joy welled up in his eyes. 'I believe no event was ever received with a more heartfelt joy,' he informed Congress. . . . “It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the cause of the United American States and finally, by raising us up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our liberty and independence upon lasting foundations, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness.'” [Chernow: Washington, p. 335]