Mr. President, Pardon This Turkey!

Thanksgiving is a beloved American tradition, but let’s face it — it’s not a good day to be a turkey. However, when the fourth Thursday in November rolls around, a fortunate few (two turkeys, to be precise) are spared from the dinner table by none other than the President of the United States. Granting a pair of turkeys with a presidential pardon is an annual tradition with a bit of a murky history. Several presidents are often credited with starting the tradition, so it’s difficult to say precisely when it began. Let’s step back in time to see if we can figure out just who the first president to spare a Thanksgiving turkey from the dinner table actually was. Read more