The Turkey Pardon Tradition: A Quirky Thanksgiving Custom
Turkey Pardon Tradition: The President of the United States pardons a turkey. It’s a strange tradition that always brings smiles to people’s faces. But how did this tradition start, and what does it really mean to “pardon” a turkey? Let’s take a closer look at this fun and funny part of the holiday season!
Peach and Blossom: Biden’s 2024 Turkey Pardons
This year, President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, during a ceremony on the White House lawn. With a little humor, he joked that Peach was making a “last-minute plea” for the pardon, before officially letting both birds go free. They’ll live out their days at the Farmamerica Agricultural Interpretive Center in Minnesota, away from the dinner table.
The Origins of the Turkey Pardon | Turkey Pardon Tradition
Many people think the turkey pardon started with President Harry Truman in 1947, but that’s not exactly true. Truman did receive a turkey from the National Turkey Federation, but he didn’t pardon it. Instead, he had it for dinner. It wasn’t until later that the idea of pardoning a turkey began to take shape.
Who Really Started the Tradition?
Some people say it was Abraham Lincoln who first spared a turkey, but there’s no solid proof of that. The first real turkey reprieve happened in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy jokingly decided to let a turkey “grow” instead of eating it. This marked the beginning of the idea of sparing turkeys, though it wasn’t called a “pardon” yet.
The First Official Pardon: President Ronald Reagan | Turkey Pardon Tradition
The term “pardon” was first used in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, during a press conference. When asked about pardoning people involved in a political scandal, Reagan joked that he had already pardoned the turkey named “Charlie.” This playful comment turned the turkey pardon into an official White House event.
The Quirky History of the Turkey Pardon Why Biden Pardoned Peach and Blossom
George H.W. Bush Makes It Official | Turkey Pardon Tradition
In 1989, President George H.W. Bush formalized the tradition, making the turkey pardon a yearly event. From that point on, presidents would pardon a turkey, sending it to a farm to live out its life peacefully, instead of becoming part of the Thanksgiving feast.
A Fun Tradition That Continues Today | Turkey Pardon Tradition
Today, the turkey pardon is a fun and lighthearted part of the Thanksgiving season. Each year, a turkey is spared, and the tradition brings smiles to Americans everywhere. Whether you’re watching the ceremony at the White House or just enjoying your holiday at home, the turkey pardon is a reminder of the quirky, humorous side of Thanksgiving!
