Free bird: Thanksgiving turkey pardons
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Giving the bird
The National Turkey Federation began giving turkeys to U.S. presidents during Harry S. Truman's presidency, originally as a Christmas gift (this photo was taken Dec. 15, 1947). Truman pardoned 2,044 people during his tenure — No. 3 among all presidents in history — but didn't pardon any turkeys, despite often getting credit for inventing the tradition. All indications are that the Truman family ate their feathered gifts, but the first signs of presidential turkey compassion did come 16 years later.
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Comments
Every year I read that Truman pardoned the first Thanksgiving...in fact, it was the exact opposite (this is from theTruman Library website):
“The library’s staff has found no documents, speeches, newspaper clippings, photographs, or other contemporary records in our holdings which refer to Truman pardoning a turkey that he received as a gift in 1947, or at any other time during his presidency. Truman sometimes indicated to reporters that the turkeys he received were destined for the.... More
Their names!
1999 - Harry
2000 - Jerry
2001 - Liberty
2002 - Katie and Zack
2003- Stars and Stripes
2004- Biscuit and Gravy
2005- Marshmallow and Yam
2006 - Flyer and Fryer
2007 - May and Flower
2008 - Pumpkin and Pecan
The people look just as uncomfortable as the turkey ... especially the guy holding the bird! Great stuff.
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