Spared from the Table

The Presidential Turkey Tradition

Ollie Pup here, and this month, I wanted to dive into a tradition I have heard about... the pardoning of the turkey. Now, I must say, I love some turkey—it is deee-licioius! But, when I think about it, letting the turkey live out his life sounds much nicer and I wanted to learn more about this whole pardoning thing. So, here's the scoop.

The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House has evolved over more than a century into a lighthearted national ceremony. Its origins trace back to the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln spared a turkey named Jack at the request of his son, Tad. Later, in 1947, President Harry Truman received the first National Thanksgiving Turkey from the National Turkey Federation, marking the beginning of an annual White House tradition. This presentation historically signaled the start of the holiday season and highlighted the contributions of American turkey growers and the importance of agriculture.

Initially, turkeys were simply gifted to the president, often arriving through the generosity of the public. In the 1920s and mid-20^th century, the Poultry and Egg National Board and the National Turkey Federation formalized the presentation, with presidents occasionally sparing the bird. President John F. Kennedy famously pardoned a turkey in 1963, and during Ronald Reagan’s administration, the act of pardoning became a recognized part of the ceremony in the Rose Garden.

The modern custom of officially “pardoning” the turkey began with President George H.W. Bush in 1989, during the 200^th anniversary of George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. Bush publicly spared the turkey and its alternate, assuring the gathered schoolchildren that the birds would not end up on anyone’s dinner table. Since then, every president has continued the tradition, with the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate often selected from public name suggestions.

Each year, a specially raised turkey is prepared for the ceremony. From the moment of hatching, these birds receive careful attention and socialization to acclimate them to crowds. After the pardon, the turkeys are sent to farms or universities where they live under veterinary and student care. In recent years, pardoned turkeys have gone to a farm in Virginia, living out their remaining years in a safe environment.

The event has become more than just a quirky tradition; it symbolizes the nation’s gratitude, celebrating agricultural abundance and offering a fun-filled opening to the Thanksgiving season. Presidential remarks during the ceremony often reflect on the blessings of the country, combining humor with a sense of national appreciation. Over time, the Turkey Pardon has grown into a cherished and widely recognized part of American Thanksgiving traditions.

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Learn more at eatturkey.org and whitehousehistory.org.