Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pie - it's a holiday filled with fascinating history and fun traditions. Did you know the first Thanksgiving in 1621 lasted three days, or that Americans eat 46 million turkeys every Thanksgiving? From Lincoln's 1863 proclamation to the Macy's Parade debut in 1924, there’s so much to discover about this beloved holiday. Here's a quick look at what you'll learn:
- The First Thanksgiving (1621): A harvest feast shared by Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people.
- Thanksgiving as a National Holiday: Abraham Lincoln made it official in 1863.
- Original Menu: Wildfowl, venison, and corn - not pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce.
- Modern Turkey Stats: 46 million turkeys consumed annually.
- Macy's Parade: Started in 1924 with live animals, now famous for giant balloons.
- NFL Games: A Thanksgiving tradition since 1934, led by the Detroit Lions.
- Friendsgiving: A newer, casual twist on the holiday.
Quick Comparison of Then and Now:
| Aspect | Original Thanksgiving (1621) | Modern Thanksgiving |
|---|---|---|
| Menu | Wildfowl, venison, corn | Turkey, pumpkin pie, sides |
| Celebration Length | 3 days | 1 day |
| Key Participants | Colonists & Wampanoag | Families & friends |
| Traditions | Harvest feast | Football, parades, dinner |
Dive into these fun facts and share them at your next Thanksgiving gathering!
Thanksgiving History Quiz: Test Your Knowledge! | 20 ...
1. The First Thanksgiving Date (1621)
The First Thanksgiving happened in the fall of 1621. It was a three-day harvest feast where Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people came together to share food and celebrate the season.
Around 90 Wampanoag people joined the celebration. Edward Winslow described it as a time to "rejoyce together".
For the Wampanoag, giving thanks isn’t limited to a single day. Wampanoag leader Cedric Cromwell explained:
"is not something we as Wampanoag people do on a single day, it is a way of life. Every day we give thanks to the Creator, thanks to our ancestors, and thanks to the natural world around us. Today is no different. We give thanks."
This 1621 gathering was mainly a harvest celebration. The Wampanoag's involvement also reflected efforts to strengthen alliances after their community had been severely impacted by disease. This three-day event has since become a lasting symbol of what would grow into one of America’s most cherished holidays.
2. Abraham Lincoln Makes Thanksgiving Official
Thanksgiving was celebrated by many Americans before 1863, but it became a nationally recognized holiday thanks to President Abraham Lincoln. On October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving. This declaration came at a crucial moment during the Civil War, giving it added significance.
Just three months after the Union's victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Lincoln's announcement marked a turning point in the war. Historian Harold Holzer explained Lincoln's role in shaping the holiday:
"He's the father of the whole idea of a nation giving thanks for its advantages and privileges of living in a democracy like this."
Lincoln's decision was heavily influenced by Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey's Lady's Book. Hale had spent 36 years advocating for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. On September 28, 1863, she wrote directly to Lincoln, urging him to take action. By then, her magazine had a massive readership of over 150,000.
The proclamation itself was written by Secretary of State William Seward and carried a powerful message during one of the nation's darkest times. Lincoln's words continue to resonate:
"I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt temporarily changed the date to boost the economy during the Great Depression. However, in 1941, Congress officially restored Thanksgiving to the last Thursday of November.
3. Original Thanksgiving Menu Items
The original Thanksgiving menu looked a lot different from what we celebrate today. Kathleen Wall, a culinarian at Plimoth Patuxet, identified three key items that defined the meal:
"Wildfowl was there. Corn, in grain form for bread or for porridge, was there. Venison was there. These are absolutes."
Turkey wasn’t the star of the show. Instead, the main proteins were wildfowl like goose and duck, along with venison. In fact, four men managed to catch enough fowl in just one day to feed the group for nearly a week.
Wall also explained the cooking techniques used at the time:
"I also think some birds - in a lot of recipes you see this - were boiled first, then roasted to finish them off. Or things are roasted first and then boiled. The early roasting gives them nicer flavor, sort of caramelizes them on the outside and makes the broth darker."
These early methods and ingredients highlight how much the holiday has evolved over time.
| Original 1621 Menu | Modern Staples |
|---|---|
| Wildfowl (goose, duck) | Turkey as centerpiece |
| Venison | White potatoes |
| Corn (used for bread or porridge) | Sweet potatoes |
| Shellfish (lobster, clams) | Cranberry sauce |
| Eels | Pumpkin pie |
| Flint corn, beans | Green bean casserole |
| Pumpkins, squashes | Bread stuffing |
The Wampanoag played a major role in shaping the feast, sharing their farming knowledge with the colonists. They relied heavily on crops like turnips, carrots, onions, garlic, and pumpkins, which made up about 70% of their meals. If stuffing was served, it would have been made with onions and herbs, not the bread-based versions we know today.
Many modern favorites weren’t possible back then. Without butter or wheat flour, dishes like pie crusts and bread stuffing couldn’t be made. Cranberry sauce hadn’t been invented yet, and both white and sweet potatoes were unavailable in the region.
4. Annual U.S. Turkey Consumption Stats
Turkey has become the centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations across the United States. On Thanksgiving Day, Americans consume about 46 million turkeys. In fact, 95% of Americans include turkey in their holiday meal. With the average turkey weighing around 15 pounds, this adds up to a staggering 675 million pounds of turkey eaten nationwide.
Turkey production is concentrated in a few key states. Here's a look at the top contributors by production weight:
| State | Share of U.S. Turkey Production |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 15.3% |
| Minnesota | 15.1% |
| Indiana | 11.9% |
| Arkansas | 7.8% |
| Iowa | 7.3% |
North Carolina and Minnesota lead the way, producing over 30% of the country’s turkeys combined. North Carolina takes the top spot in production weight, with birds averaging 36.9 pounds. Meanwhile, Minnesota raises the largest number of turkeys, making up 17.7% of the nation's total birds. Interestingly, just 13 states account for over 85% of all U.S. turkey production, ensuring a steady supply for Thanksgiving tables across the country.
5. Macy's Parade Start Date
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade made its debut on November 27, 1924, marching through Manhattan. Originally called "Macy's Christmas Parade", it was designed to mark the start of the holiday shopping season and celebrate the opening of Macy's flagship store - promoted as the "World's Largest Store" with over 1,000,000 square feet of retail space. This launch laid the groundwork for what would become a beloved annual tradition.
The first parade looked quite different from the event we know today. Instead of the massive character balloons that now dominate the celebration, the 1924 parade featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, floats inspired by childhood stories like Little Miss Muffet and Little Red Riding Hood, and ended with Santa Claus making a grand appearance.
Here are some key milestones in the parade's history:
| Year | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 1924 | First parade draws between 10,000 and 250,000 spectators |
| 1927 | Renamed "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and introduces its first character balloon, Felix the Cat |
| 1942-1944 | Parade paused due to World War II |
| 1947 | CBS begins broadcasting the parade nationwide |
| 1953 | NBC takes over as the official broadcaster |
Today, the parade attracts around 3.5 million spectators in Manhattan and tens of millions more watch on TV.
While traditions like Santa Claus's final appearance remain unchanged, the parade's iconic giant balloons - first created as floating marionettes by Tony Sarg with help from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - have become its most recognizable feature.
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6. White House Turkey Pardon Origins
The White House turkey pardon, as we know it today, officially began in 1989, though its roots stretch back much further.
In the 1870s, Horace Vose, a poultry dealer from Rhode Island, started sending turkeys to U.S. presidents, a tradition he maintained for 25 years. By 1947, the National Turkey Federation became the official supplier, presenting a hefty 47-pound turkey to President Truman that year.
Here are a few key milestones in the tradition's history:
| Year | President | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1863 | Abraham Lincoln | Spared a Christmas turkey at his son Tad's request |
| 1963 | John F. Kennedy | Declined to eat a 55-pound turkey, saying, "We'll just let this one grow" |
| 1987 | Ronald Reagan | First to jokingly use the term "pardon" for a turkey |
| 1989 | George H.W. Bush | Officially established the annual turkey pardon ceremony |
The tradition became official under President George H.W. Bush, who declared during the 1989 ceremony:
"But 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 - and allow him to live out his days on a children's farm not far from here."
Before this formalization, presidents often ate the turkeys they were gifted. The shift toward sending turkeys to farms began with President Nixon and became more consistent during Reagan's administration after 1981. Like many Thanksgiving traditions, the turkey pardon blends historical practices with modern ceremonial flair.
7. NFL Thanksgiving Game Teams
NFL Thanksgiving games have a long history, with the Detroit Lions leading the tradition. They've played in 84 Thanksgiving games so far. This all started in 1934 when team owner George A. Richards scheduled a Thanksgiving matchup against the Chicago Bears to draw more fans.
That first game in 1934 was a big deal - 26,000 tickets sold out two weeks in advance. The Lions, with a 10-1 record, faced the undefeated 11-0 Bears but lost a close game, 19-16.
Years later, the Dallas Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving tradition in 1966. General manager Tex Schramm volunteered for the holiday game to boost the team's visibility nationwide. The idea worked - 80,259 fans attended that first game. Since then, the Cowboys have played 56 Thanksgiving games, making them the second most frequent participants.
Here’s a breakdown of the teams with the most Thanksgiving Day appearances:
| Team | Games Played | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 84 | Began hosting Thanksgiving games in 1934 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 56 | Became annual hosts starting in 1966 |
| Chicago Bears | 37 | Faced the Lions in the first game |
| Green Bay Packers | 37 | Tied with the Bears for appearances |
| Arizona Cardinals | 23 | Fifth on the list of Thanksgiving games |
Interestingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only NFL team that has never played on Thanksgiving. As for records, the Lions hold a 37-45-2 record on Thanksgiving, while the Cowboys boast a 33-22-1 record.
Pro Football Hall of Fame historian Jon Kendle captured the importance of these games, saying:
"That was a close, good game, and certainly helped capture the nation's attention as to how exciting the NFL could be".
These games have become a key part of Thanksgiving traditions, drawing millions of fans each year.
8. When 'Friendsgiving' Became Popular
Friendsgiving started gaining attention in the late 2000s as a relaxed alternative to the traditional holiday. The term was first mentioned in 2007 through early Usenet posts and Twitter discussions. By 2011, Bailey's Irish Cream featured Friendsgiving in an ad campaign, and by 2013, the Emily Post Institute was fielding etiquette questions about it. This shift set Friendsgiving apart from the more formal Thanksgiving.
Here’s a quick comparison between the two celebrations:
| Aspect | Traditional Thanksgiving | Friendsgiving |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Fourth Thursday in November | Usually before or after Thanksgiving |
| Style | Formal family dinner | Casual potluck gathering |
| Atmosphere | Traditional customs | Modern, relaxed approach |
| Participants | Extended family | Friends and chosen family |
| Menu | Classic dishes are a must | Open to creative dishes |
Cookbook author Jane Snow sums up the vibe perfectly:
"We get together about two weeks before Thanksgiving and have some food and some fun. I always cook something, and everyone else pitches in".
Friendsgiving has become especially popular among urban dwellers and members of the LGBTQ+ community looking for alternative ways to celebrate. As The Pensacola News Journal puts it:
"But just because you can't go home for the holidays doesn't mean you have to be alone and leftover-less. Friends, coworkers, neighbors and 'holiday orphans' can celebrate a fantastic 'Friendsgiving' instead".
Today, Friendsgiving has carved out its own space in the holiday season, spreading gratitude in a more casual and inclusive way.
9. Wampanoag Tribe and First Thanksgiving
The Wampanoag, meaning "People of the First Light", played a crucial role in helping the Plymouth colonists survive. Their lands covered southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island, with a pre-contact population of around 40,000 spread across 67 villages.
Between 1616 and 1619, a devastating epidemic significantly reduced their numbers. Among the survivors was Tisquantum (Squanto), whose knowledge and guidance were instrumental to the Pilgrims.
Here’s a breakdown of the Wampanoag's key contributions during the early colonial period:
| Aspect | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Knowledge | Introduced the cultivation of the "Three Sisters" (corn, squash, and beans) |
| Survival Skills | Taught fishing methods, seafood gathering, and fish processing |
| Diplomatic Relations | Squanto acted as an interpreter and mediator |
| Time on the Land | Over 12,000 years |
The Wampanoag's farming expertise stood out. Women were responsible for producing about 75% of the community's food, showcasing advanced agricultural techniques. These methods not only supported their own villages but also helped the Pilgrims establish sustainable farming practices.
It’s important to note that the traditional story of a harmonious first Thanksgiving is a topic of debate. Many Native Americans and historians emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of these events. The Wampanoag's seasonal movements between various sites reflected their profound knowledge of the land’s cycles, which became a crucial resource for the Pilgrims during their early years in Plymouth.
10. World's Biggest Pumpkin Pie Record
On September 25, 2010, the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers from Ohio made history at the New Bremen Pumpkinfest by baking the world's largest pumpkin pie, earning an official Guinness World Record.
This massive dessert measured a staggering 20 feet in diameter, weighed 3,699 pounds, and required 440 sheets of dough.
Here’s a breakdown of the incredible amounts of ingredients used:
| Ingredient | Amount Used |
|---|---|
| Canned Pumpkin | 1,212 pounds |
| Evaporated Milk | 109 gallons |
| Eggs | 2,796 |
| Sugar | 525 pounds |
| Cinnamon | 14.5 pounds |
| Salt | 7 pounds |
To put it into perspective, this pie was about 30 times bigger than your average volleyball-sized pumpkin pie.
This achievement highlights the spirit of teamwork and creativity in celebrating Thanksgiving traditions on a grand scale.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pie - it's a holiday rich with history, traditions, and fun facts. Why not use this trivia to add some energy and spark to your holiday gathering?
Here are a few ways to weave these Thanksgiving trivia facts into your celebration:
- Pre-dinner Fun: Turn trivia into a team game before dinner. Split your guests into groups and let the competition begin!
- Conversation Starter: Use trivia to guide discussions at the table. As Independently Happy puts it, "Delight your guests with these Thanksgiving trivia questions!"
- Themed Trivia Rounds: Create rounds based on specific topics for a more organized activity:
| Theme | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Historical Facts | The First Thanksgiving, Lincoln's Proclamation |
| Food Traditions | Turkey stats, Record-breaking pies |
| Modern Customs | NFL games, Friendsgiving trends |
| Cultural Heritage | Wampanoag Tribe, Traditional menu items |
If you want to take it up a notch, Cheap Trivia offers holiday-themed packs with PowerPoint slides and printable materials to make your event even more engaging.