The history of presidential turkey ceremonies dates all the way back to 1947 with Harry Truman. Not sure what he did, but it was something with a turkey. Dwight Eisenhower also had a similar ceremony with turkeys; only he ate each one that was presented to him. Kennedy (in 1963) gets credit for the very first unofficial pardon. Supposedly he spared the turkey at the very last second. Reagan made a joke out of the whole "pardon turkey" thing and tied it all to Ollie North. It really wasn’t until 1989 when it became a full on tradition for the president to pardon a turkey right before T-day.
SO WHERE DO THEY GO?
Over the years pardoned turkeys have been sent to 1 of 3 different exotic locale to live out the rest of their natural lives. The first wasFrying Pan Park in Fairfax County, Virginia up until 2005. Now all turkeys are going to Disney World (or land)! Aside from gobbling up the sunshine (sorry), they get to be the grand marshal in the Disney Thanksgiving parade. Not sure what they eat, but I’m pretty sure gravy and giblets are NOT on the menu.
You are funny. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, turkey. I mean, happy turkey eating on Thanksgiving.
xoRobyn
Well, it is nice to know it started with President Kennedy! We Democrats do have soft hearts. Disneyland! Very lucky.
ReplyDeletePresident Lincoln granted clemency to a turkey in 1865, according to the White House Historical Society, although it was a Christmas turkey.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was a presidential pardoning thing. I'm still a bit baffled.
ReplyDeleteinteresting, I wonder if the pardon is life long
ReplyDeleteNever really understood the point of this tradition to be honest.
ReplyDeleteAACL will be pleased!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, frying pan park. Now that just sounds suspicious!
ReplyDeleteI need proof!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bit...something...to send a pardoned turkey to a place called Frying Pan Park.
ReplyDeleteThat's actually so cool. Those turkeys really deserve it too, to get away.
ReplyDeletethe frying pan park doesn't sound liberating to me :p
ReplyDeleteIsn't Congress full of turkeys? Or is that just a coincidence?
ReplyDeletePardon me as I devour the pardoned turkey!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Ironic the first presidents ate the turkey!
ReplyDeleteI've actually visited Disneyland a couple of times and seen those lucky birds.
ReplyDeletei remember hearing about those pardons, lol
ReplyDeleteThe fact they got away makes them extra delicious I bet.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe they aren't killed and eaten. That's what I would do if I were queen of the world, which I am. Wow, we had a great pardoned turkey yesterday.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lola
You have really done a great work to share the hidden art of the great man. It is really a nice work by them. Thanks a lot for this
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