Weirdest American Holiday Traditions
Presidential Turkey Pardon
This goofy tradition got its start with Abraham Lincoln in 1863 – it’s said that his son Tad pleaded with him to let their holiday turkey go instead of eating it, so he granted it clemency and let it live. Since then, many people have sent the sitting President turkeys out of either patriotism or a sense of fun, and they were always eaten with gusto.
In the latter half of the 20th century, lobbying organizations working on behalf of the poultry industry would send the President or his family turkeys for the holidays, and by the 1970s, these turkeys would often be sent to a hobby farm or petting zoo, as it made for a better photo op. In 1989, George H.W. Bush was the first to issue a formal “pardon” to his turkey, and the tradition has stuck.
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