Being a Turkey in November comes with great stress. There is constant chatter about the upcoming feast and which bird looks the most promising. 46 million birds are killed in one day, but two are saved by the leader of our country.
Pardoning was first done by Abraham Lincoln, who saved a turkey due to his son becoming fond of the bird; however, he was alone in his actions at the time, it was a long while before another president would pardon their bird.
The history behind this tradition is messy. There are twisted facts and public confusion tied to this seemingly foolish tradition we have today.
The drama begins during Truman’s presidency, where there was beef with the poultry industry. The government was urging citizens to partake in ‘Poultry-Less Thursdays’, blatantly ignoring that Thanksgiving falls on Thursday. This caused an uproar from farmers and poultry companies throughout the country, so they began sending Truman crates of live chickens in protest, labeling their efforts ‘Hens for Harry’. The story became distorted when the National Turkey Federation (yes, it’s a real thing) sent Truman a turkey a few days prior to Thanksgiving. The publicity that this bird got led to people believing he saved the bird, but this could not be further from the truth. Truman was reported saying that his birds would, “come in handy” for the upcoming holiday feast. Many attribute Truman to being the first president to pardon a turkey, even after The Washington Post revealed that these birds were not being saved, and the Truman administration publicly stated that he did not pardon his turkey.
After Truman, was Eisenhower. He was pictured happily accepting his turkeys, but his smile was fueled by the image of his dinner the next day.
President John F. Kennedy delivered his turkey on Nov. 19, 1963. The bird was wearing a bib that read, ‘Good Eatin’ Mr. President’, seemingly upset by the indication, President Kennedy publicly stated that he was sparing the turkey. He did not set this tradition into place officially, but his action began a domino effect of leaders saving their bird.
As more presidents followed Kennedy’s model, the news began to report heavily on the event, partially out of satire, but also due to the lighthearted nature of the event. There was even the new need for a “backup” turkey, in case the first turkey met an unfortunate fate as well as keeping eachother company. This began the tradition of two turkeys, with matching names, being pardoned each year.
The turkeys saved between Kennedy’s term and Bush’s term were sent to “Frying Pan Park” which despite the name, is a farm where these turkeys lived out their dreams of frollicking through acres of green grass.
George W. Bush made this tradition an annual affair. He addressed the nation when he was presented with a 40 pound bird, stating “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.”
Since Bush began this tradition in 1989, every president has freed a turkey from the horrors of Thanksgiving.
Bush’s fourth set of turkeys, Marshmallow and Yam, were flown first class to Disneyland, where Marshmallow served as Honorary Grand Marshal of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Yam fiances was sadly left out, being the backup turkey. Bush also sent Flyer, Fryer, May, Flower, Pumpkin, and Pecan to Disney to become the happiest turkeys on Earth.
Obama came to office and sent his first set of Turkeys, Courage and Carolina, to Disney; but in 2010, Disneyland was tired of Turkeys.
Since then, the pardoned birds have been sent to various locations including: Mount Vernon, Morven Park, and various college campuses.
The sad truth behind these Turkeys is that they do not get to live a long life. Due to their breeding process to get the largest turkeys, they are not the most natural or healthy birds. They usually live about two years, but at least these birds get a day in the spotlight and luxury.
This year, President Biden pardoned “Peach” and “Blossom” on November 25th. These birds were prepped for their big day by being exposed to bright lights, loud sounds, and a variety of music. The lucky birds were sent to farmamerica in Minnesoda.to spend the rest of their days as “agricultural ambassadors.”
A disclaimer from the author: I was consumed by the drama around this event, I cannot stop bringing this topic up to friends and family that will listen. If you have a whole in your life, you can surely fill it by taking a deep dive into this tradition
“I want to take a moment to recognize the great turkeys who weren’t so lucky, who didn’t get to ride the gravy train to freedom. Who met their fate with courage and sacrifice and proved that they weren’t chicken.”
Pardoning Pospects
If I had the power to pardon, I would first name my turkeys Stars and Stripes attributing to the United States flag, I would fly the pardoned turkeys to New York and put them on a leash. Since they would be trained, they would be able to walk with me through the Macy Day Parade. I would dress the turkeys up for the weather and give them strollers since they will probably get tired. I would be sure to include the extra turkey as well so they also get the experience. Once Thanksgiving is over, I would depart from the turkeys and send them to Hawaii, since the weather there is just stable enough for them to be comfortable. A nice farm with free roam animals would take great care of my turkeys, and I would visit them on vacation.
Riley Maddingly (25) would name her Turkeys Dale and Chuck, she would take her turkeys for a beach visit and then send them to Plymouth rock. “I’m trying to think of a good turkey spot”
What would you name your turkeys? Dale and Chuck
Where would you take your turkeys? A beach visit, and plymouth rock
Autumn Shrock (25) would her turkeys, Turkey and Turkey, she would send them to Turkey, and she would let them loose and they would be town celebrities and confuse the citizens.
What would you name your turkeys: Turkey and Turkey
Where would you send them? Turkey
What would you do with them? Let them roam free and confuse people because they would say “Turkey” and not understand if they are talking about the country or the animal.
Logan Nana (25) “If I had turkeys I would name them Kathy and Kirby, I will put them in a 1962 Corvette and we will drive to Yellowstone, we will walk the trails there and I will buy them souvenirs if they are good. After that, we will go to the grand canyon because it is the most beautiful place you can see and I wouldn’t want them to miss that, but I have never seen it either so it will be fun for me too. After that, we will go to Universal Studios because it is the most magical place on Earth, and go to dinner and have pizza.”
