Mythmakers believe President Harry Truman began the tradition of ‘pardoning’ a turkey in 1948
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated across the U.S., Canada, and some Caribbean islands.
The day pays thanks for the blessing of the harvest and for the year ahead.
This year, President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys, Chocolate and Chip.
“It’s a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition here at the White House.”
“There’s a lot to say about it, but it’s chilly outside, so I’m going to keep this short. Nobody likes it when their turkey gets cold,” he said.
The tradition takes place on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving day, which falls on 25 November this year.
Why do Presidents pardon turkeys?
In 1947, the start of the official turkey presentation from the poultry sector began.
While turkey pardoning was a sporadic event, in December 1948, President Harry Truman said the two turkeys he received would “come in handy”.
Traditional Thanksgiving meals include a turkey on the family dinner table. But some of them are pardoned by the U.S. President, which means they are not killed or eaten.
The University of Illinois estimates 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving.
In addition, 22 million are consumed on Christmas and 19 million during Easter festivities.
While in office, President Donald Trump said “Thanksgiving is a time of great American traditions, and today we continue a very special one, when a lucky turkey gets a presidential pardon. That turkey is so lucky. I have never seen such a beautiful turkey.”
Across the U.S., turkey consumption has increased by 104 per cent since 1970.
The ceremony has come under fire in the past. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush sought to quell animal rights activists nearby.
“Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s granted a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here,” he said.
