Why Do Presidents Pardon a Turkey? Here’s the Story Behind This Thanksgiving Tradition
By Movieguide® Contributor
Before every Thanksgiving, the President of the United States “pardons” one or two turkeys.
Though not an official tradition at the time, the practice dates back to Abraham Lincoln’s time in office.
“It is believed Abraham Lincoln was the first president to pardon a turkey in 1863. Lincoln’s son Tad allegedly became attached to the turkey that was fated to be served at the family’s Christmas meal, according to the History Channel. Lincoln was said to have spared the bird from becoming dinner, based on an 1865 dispatch by White House reporter Noah Brooks,” USA Today reported.
While the tradition began with Lincoln, it was sporadic until more recent history.
“In 1947, President Harry Truman received a live turkey from the National Turkey Federation in what has become an annual White House Thanksgiving tradition. The White House Presentation signals the beginning of the holiday season of national thanks, historically representing agriculture’s bountiful harvest,” the National Turkey Federation explained. “The presentation also highlights the contributions of America’s turkey growers as well as the important role of agriculture in modern America.”
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But what exactly does it mean to “pardon” a turkey?
“The Washington Post used both ‘pardon’ and ‘reprieve’ in a 1963 article in which President Kennedy said of the turkey [from the National Turkey Federation], ‘Let’s keep him going,'” White House History reported.
However, Ronald Reagan was the first president to use the term “pardon.”
“During the throes of the Iran-Contra scandal in 1987, Reagan sidestepped reporters’ questions about whether he planned to pardon any of his aides accused of wrongdoing. When then asked about the fate of the 55-pound turkey he was just given, Reagan joked, ‘I’ll pardon him,'” History said.
It finally became an annual tradition during George H.W. Bush’s presidency.
“Let me assure you, and 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,” Bush said.
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