The Real Story of the Turkey Pardoning Tradition

How a Presidential Joke Became a Thanksgiving Ritual

Did you know that every year, a turkey is “pardoned” by the President of the United States? Yes, instead of ending up on a dinner table, a lucky turkey gets a free pass! But here’s the real question: how did this unusual tradition even start and why does the president get involved? The story behind the annual turkey pardon is both quirky and filled with historical twists that might just surprise you.

First, A Quick Question: Would You “Pardon” or “Pass the Gravy”?

Imagine you’re at Thanksgiving with a turkey in front of you. If you had to make a choice, would you give it a free pass or carve it up for dinner? Today’s White House tradition lets one special turkey skip the meal prep process altogether and head off to a peaceful retirement instead. But things weren’t always this way!

The Origins: A Turkey and a President Meet in 1863

The roots of the turkey pardon trace back to President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, Lincoln’s son, Tad, reportedly begged his father to spare a turkey that was supposed to be served for Christmas dinner. Tad had become attached to the bird and named it “Jack.” Surprisingly, Lincoln agreed, granting the turkey a “presidential pardon.”

And while this wasn’t officially part of Thanksgiving, it sparked the idea of letting at least one bird go free. Little did Lincoln know that this act would one day inspire an actual White House tradition.

The Tradition Solidifies: A Turkey’s Long Journey to Freedom

For many years, turkeys were simply gifted to the President by farmers across America. The National Turkey Federation began gifting turkeys to the White House in 1947, but most of these turkeys didn’t receive a pardon. They were dinner! President Harry S. Truman was the first to publicly accept these turkeys, and many say he “started” the tradition, though no official pardon was given.

Then, President John F. Kennedy made headlines in 1963 by choosing to send his Thanksgiving turkey “back to the farm” instead of to the dinner table. Kennedy’s decision marked a shift, but it wasn’t until President George H.W. Bush in 1989 that the turkey pardon as we know it became a formal tradition. Since then, every president has carried on the tradition, granting one lucky bird a reprieve each year.

Presidential Humor and the Annual Ceremony

These days, the turkey pardon ceremony is not only a tradition but a time for presidential humor. Presidents have taken the opportunity to tell “turkey” jokes, make puns, and create a lighthearted moment just before the holiday season. The chosen turkey often has a quirky name like “Corn” or “Cob,” adding to the fun. Recently, turkeys have even gone on to enjoy special lives in “retirement,” often sent to petting zoos or farms to live out their days in style.

But here’s a fun twist: these pardoned turkeys are bred to grow large quickly, so even after their pardon, they often have a shorter lifespan than wild turkeys. Despite their presidential pardon, these birds are still symbols of the holiday season’s whimsy and goodwill.

What Do You Think? Should the Turkey Pardon Tradition Continue?

Now that you know the story, what do you think? Should the turkey pardon continue? It’s a fun way to honor the spirit of the holiday and gives a moment of reprieve for one lucky bird. Plus, it reminds us to be a little more grateful, even if just for a tradition that lets us smile.

So, next time you see the Thanksgiving turkey pardoning on TV, you’ll know it’s more than just a quirky ritual. It’s a piece of American history, full of unexpected turns, and, who knows, maybe a few more presidential puns! 🦃

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