Politics

A short history of the 'turkey pardon,' the White House's weirdest Thanksgiving tradition

Sarah Jacobs

2016-11-24T15:15:00Z

Bush Thanksgiving turkey — George W. Bush pardons a turkey in 2003. Reuters Photographer

Every year, before the President of the United States can sit down and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with his family, he must go through the odd tradition of "pardoning" the turkey that won't be eaten.

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While the reason behind the tradition is still a bit of a mystery, the White House traces it all the way back to President Lincoln in 1863.

However, more than 100 years would pass until a president — John F. Kennedy — formally pardoned a turkey on the White House grounds. Below, a quick history of the odd White House tradition.

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As the story goes, Lincoln's son, Tad, may or may not have persuaded his father not to eat the turkey they purchased for Christmas dinner. They instead adopted it as a pet, naming the turkey Jack.

Lib of Congress Lincoln

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In 1963, President John F. Kennedy received his Thanksgiving turkey from the Poultry and Egg National Board. He officially pardoned the bird by saying, "Let's keep him going," and it was the Washington Post who used the term "pardon" to cover the story.

JFK with turkey on Thanksgiving

Source: White House History

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In 1967, the pardoning ceremony took place inside. Senator Everett Dirksen and representatives from the poultry industry and farm organizations presented a turkey to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Turkey_and_President_Johnson_1967

An incredibly creepy legend about President Richard Nixon's bird was recently confirmed by the Washington Post. As the story goes, the turkey was especially rambunctious, and its feet had to be nailed down to the table.

nixon turkey pardon

Source: Washington Post

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President Gerald Ford had the cruel idea to put a wrapped, ready-to-cook turkey next to the live one presented to him.

Ford with a Thanksgiving turkey

President Ronald Reagan was the first to use the word "pardon" in connection with the turkey. THe bird, named Charlie, was sent to a petting zoo instead of the dinner table.

Regan with Thanksgiving turkey

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By 1989, the formality of the ceremony had solidified, and animal rights activists gathered outside the White House fences, chanting for President George Bush to "reprieve," "keep him going," or "pardon" the turkey. Bush obliged, and the turkey pardon has happened every year since.

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President George W. Bush continued his father's tradition, and the photo op was priceless. Here, he pardons the turkey in 2003.

Bush Thanksgiving turkey

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President Barack Obama likes making light of the tradition. In 2015, Obama thanked his daughters for standing with him during all of the turkey pardoning ceremonies he's done. "They do this solely because it makes me feel good, not because they actually think this is something I should be doing," he said.

Obama pardons turkey 2015

Source: The Guardian

Thanksgiving White House Turkey

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