Thanksgiving history: wacky facts to keep the conversation light

Thanksgiving is not only a time for family reunions and feasting on turkey and pumpkin pie; it's a holiday with a rich with lesser-known history, there are many whimsical facts about this cherished American holiday. Dive into these unusual tidbits that illuminate the quirky aspects of Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving transcends mere family gatherings and traditional feasts of turkey and pumpkin pie; it is a holiday steeped in a rich and often surprising history. Explore these intriguing facts that shed light on the lesser-known and whimsical aspects of this beloved American celebration.

According Wikipedia, all the way back in 1947 President Harry S. Truman began the tradition of presenting a turkey to the president of the United States began. However, the bird was usually eaten and not pardoned!

The first president to issue a "pardon" for his Thanksgiving turkey according to White House Historical Archives was Ronald Reagan in 1982, and ever since then,  this feathery affair has become a White House Thanksgiving tradition.

In case you are wondering what actually happens to the pardoned turkeys, White House officials say that these lucky turkeys often retire to farms or zoos, living out their days in pardoned bliss.

According to Smithsonian magazine, in 1953, the TV dinner was born out of a turkey miscalculation. Swanson, facing a surplus of Thanksgiving turkeys, ingeniously packaged them into individual frozen meals. 

Photo: By Famartin - Own work, Wikimedia commons

Originally named the "TV Turkey Dinner," it was marketed as a convenient solution for busy families. Who knew a mistake could lead to the inception of a modern culinary convenience?

The night before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City streets come alive with the inflation of giant balloons. This has been a tradition in the city since 1924.

For some New York families, it has become a tradition to gather to witness the spectacle, taking photos and soaking in the anticipation before the grand parade.

The iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a spectacle of giant balloons, marching bands, and floats, has graced the streets of New York City since 1924. However, what most people don't know is that it originally was a Christmas parade, according to CNN it wasn't until three years later it became a Thanksgiving parade.

Did you know that helium-filled balloons were released into the air in the parade's early days? However, after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, organizers wisely opted to let the helium dissipate safely

Jellied cranberry sauce in a can made its debut in 1941 and has been a Thanksgiving staple ever since.

One of canned cranberry sauce's most fascinating quirk? It retains the can shape even when plopped onto the plate, providing a wobbly testament to holiday ingenuity.

Thanksgiving and football go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. The tradition started in 1876 when Yale and Princeton first faced off. 

Today, the NFL carries the torch, with millions of fans tuning in to watch three Turkey Day games. It's a tradition as American as pumpkin pie.

Contrary to popular belief, the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians likely skipped the turkey. 

According to Smithsonian magazine, instead, seafood, venison, fowl, corn, and vegetables graced the table, turning the feast into a three-day celebration.

Move over, clay and make way for the butter! In some parts of the U.S. people like to celebrate Thanksgiving by sculpting intricate masterpieces out of butter. 

The Ohio State Fair boasts a tradition where professional artists create life-sized butter sculptures, with a buttery bovine as their pièce de résistance.

"Jingle Bells," a jolly Christmas tune, originally had a Thanksgiving twist. Penned in 1857 as "One Horse Open Sleigh" by James Pierpont, it made its debut not under twinkling lights but during a Thanksgiving dinner in Savannah, Georgia.

While Thanksgiving dates back to the early 1600s, it wasn't until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday. Amidst the Civil War, Lincoln hoped this festive occasion would help unite a divided nation.

According to CNN, Black Friday isn't just the busiest day of the year for retailers. The news outlets reported that Black Friday is also the busiest day for plumbers in the United States! Perhaps after all that feasting some people's toilets get a little backed-up!

As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let these quirky facts serve as conversation starters and reminders that even the most traditional holidays have their delightful twists and turns. Happy Thanksgiving!

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