Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, filled with delicious food, family gatherings, and, of course, a little chaos! But, beyond the turkey and pumpkin pie, there’s a treasure trove of interesting history and quirky traditions that make this holiday truly unique. Here are 10 fun facts about Thanksgiving that will impress your dinner guests!
1. The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t Just One Day
The feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in 1621 lasted three days! While turkey may have been on the menu, it’s believed they also dined on venison, seafood, and plenty of seasonal vegetables. I am highly thankful this tradition has changed...as are my stretchy pants...
2. Turkey Wasn’t Always the Main Course
When Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, turkey wasn’t a staple yet. In fact, many families ate other meats like chicken, goose, or even duck. Turkey only rose to prominence because it was large enough to feed a family and easier to raise than other livestock. Sorry, turkey.....
3. A Woman Campaigned for Thanksgiving to Be a National Holiday
Sarah Josepha Hale, the writer of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” spent 17 years writing letters to politicians before President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. Her persistence earned her the nickname “The Mother of Thanksgiving.”
4. TV Dinners Were Inspired by Thanksgiving
In 1953, Swanson overestimated the demand for frozen turkeys and found themselves with 260 tons of leftovers. Their solution? Packaging the turkey with sides like stuffing and potatoes, giving birth to the first TV dinner!
5. The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Featured...Animals?
The first Macy’s parade in 1924 included live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, like elephants and camels. The iconic giant balloons didn’t make their debut until 1927! The original route was 6 miles long (that's a long trek for some of those zoo animals). Our current day parade is 2.5 miles (whew, not sure the balloons could handle much longer)!
6. Thanksgiving Was Once Celebrated on Different Days
Before 1941, Thanksgiving didn’t have a fixed date. It was up to the president to declare the holiday, which led to inconsistencies. President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried moving it earlier in 1939 to extend the holiday shopping season, sparking backlash and earning the nickname “Franksgiving.” Congress finally set it as the fourth Thursday in November! "Frank" goodness, because I have enough on my calendar to remember!
7. Thanksgiving Is the Reason for the Presidential Turkey Pardon
While President John F. Kennedy was the first to spare a Thanksgiving turkey, the official “pardon” tradition started with President George H.W. Bush in 1989. Now, every year, one lucky turkey (and an alternate) escapes the dinner table and enjoys a life of leisure. Pardon me, do you have any......you know the rest.
8. It’s the Busiest Travel Holiday
Thanksgiving sees the highest number of people traveling in the U.S., with millions taking to the roads, skies, and rails. If you’ve ever been stuck in holiday traffic, you’re not alone—it’s a Thanksgiving rite of passage! ~writing this post as I wait for my flight~
9. Football and Thanksgiving Go Way Back
The tradition of Thanksgiving football began in 1876 with a college game between Yale and Princeton. The NFL later capitalized on the trend, and today, it’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving without a game (or three) on TV!
10. The Day After Thanksgiving Has Its Own Holiday
While Black Friday is famous for shopping deals, it’s also known as Native American Heritage Day, a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of Native peoples. As stated by Ken Salazar, former Secretary of the Department of the Interior, "It is fitting that Native American Heritage Day follows Thanksgiving because the holiday is rooted in the tradition of the first meal between European settlers and the Native Americans who taught them how to survive in their new home."
To Sum It All Up...
Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in history, full of traditions old and new. Whether you’re feasting on turkey, watching the parade, or battling over board games with family, it’s a day to reflect on what brings us together and to create memories that last a lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
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