50 Fun Facts About Turkey Day

Which Native American tribe famously joined the Plymouth colonists for a harvest celebration in 1621?

The Wampanoag people, led by Massasoit, shared a three-day harvest celebration with the Plymouth colonists in 1621, an event often remembered as the 'First Thanksgiving'.

How many days did the 1621 harvest celebration between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people famously last?

The historical account by Edward Winslow indicates that the harvest celebration in 1621 lasted for three days, featuring feasting and entertainment.

Which influential 19th-century editor and writer tirelessly campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday?

Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, conducted a decades-long letter-writing campaign to presidents and governors, advocating for a national Thanksgiving Day.

In what year did a U.S. President issue a proclamation calling for a national day of Thanksgiving during the Civil War?

President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation on October 3, 1863, setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving and Praise amidst the Civil War.

What was the primary economic reason a U.S. President attempted to shift the date of Thanksgiving during the Great Depression?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving earlier in November in 1939 and 1940, hoping to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost retail sales during the Great Depression.

In which century did the first known printed recipe for cranberry sauce appear in an American cookbook?

The first known printed recipe for cranberry sauce as a companion to turkey appeared in Amelia Simmons's 'American Cookery' in 1796.

Which cookbook, published in 1796, contained one of the earliest American recipes similar to modern pumpkin pie?

Amelia Simmons's 'American Cookery,' published in 1796, featured pumpkin pudding recipes baked in a crust, similar to present-day pumpkin pies.

The tradition of breaking a wishbone for luck is believed to have originated with which ancient civilization?

The tradition of breaking the furcula, or wishbone, for good luck dates back roughly 2,400 years to the ancient Italian civilization of Etruria.

What does the cornucopia, often seen as a Thanksgiving decoration, traditionally symbolize?

The cornucopia, also known as the 'horn of plenty,' is derived from classical Greek and Roman mythology and represents abundance, wealth, and prosperity.

On which day is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?

Canadian Thanksgiving has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957, a date chosen partly because the harvest season arrives earlier in Canada.

What is the name of Germany's traditional harvest festival, often considered its equivalent to Thanksgiving?

Germany celebrates Erntedankfest, meaning 'harvest thanksgiving festival,' which is a religious holiday centered around giving thanks for the harvest.

Which U.S. President issued the first official Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government?

President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government on October 3, 1789, designating November 26th as a day of public thanks-giving.

What was the title of the Wampanoag leader who attended the 1621 harvest celebration with the Plymouth colonists?

Massasoit, the Grand Sachem of the Wampanoag people, joined the Plymouth colonists for the three-day harvest feast in 1621.

In what year did the Pilgrims arrive in Plymouth aboard the Mayflower?

The Pilgrims famously arrived in Plymouth Colony in 1620 after a journey on the Mayflower.

In what year did the U.S. Congress officially establish Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November?

After President Roosevelt's attempts to change the date, Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941, and Roosevelt signed it into law, officially designating Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

Which U.S. President is widely credited with making Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863?

While George Washington issued a Thanksgiving proclamation, it was Abraham Lincoln who declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War in 1863.

What is the traditional main dish served at most Thanksgiving dinners in the United States?

Turkey has been the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals for centuries, often representing abundance and the harvest season.

In what city is the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade primarily held?

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a famous annual event held in New York City, marking the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.

The first recorded Thanksgiving celebration in Plymouth Colony in 1621 included which Native American tribe?

The harvest celebration in 1621 at Plymouth was shared between the English colonists and members of the Wampanoag tribe.

Which NFL team has played a home game every Thanksgiving Day since 1934, with a few exceptions during WWII?

The Detroit Lions began their tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day in 1934, making it one of the longest-running traditions in the NFL.

What popular Thanksgiving side dish, often containing marshmallows, is made from a root vegetable?

Sweet potato casserole, frequently topped with marshmallows, is a common and beloved side dish at Thanksgiving dinners.

Who was the magazine editor who tirelessly campaigned for decades to make Thanksgiving a national holiday before Lincoln's proclamation?

Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, wrote numerous letters to presidents and governors, advocating for a national Thanksgiving holiday.

The shopping day after Thanksgiving is commonly known by what name?

Black Friday is the informal name for the Friday after Thanksgiving, traditionally marking the start of the Christmas shopping season.

Which fruit is traditionally made into a sauce or jelly and served with Thanksgiving turkey?

Cranberry sauce, with its tart flavor, is a classic accompaniment to the rich taste of roasted turkey on Thanksgiving.

In what year did President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempt to move Thanksgiving earlier in November to extend the Christmas shopping season?

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday of November, a decision known as "Franksgiving," to boost the economy during the Great Depression.

What mythical horn, overflowing with abundance, is a common Thanksgiving decorative symbol?

The cornucopia, often called the "horn of plenty," is a traditional Thanksgiving symbol representing abundance and a bountiful harvest.

Which U.S. President formalized the tradition of pardoning a turkey annually for Thanksgiving?

While presidents had received turkeys as gifts for many years, George H.W. Bush formalized the tradition of officially pardoning a turkey in 1989.

Which state is often cited as the top turkey-consuming state on Thanksgiving Day?

California, being the most populous state, consumes the most turkeys on Thanksgiving Day.

Before Abraham Lincoln's 1863 proclamation, which President issued a Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, the first under the new U.S. Constitution?

George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States in 1789, though it did not establish an annual federal holiday.

The custom of breaking a turkey's wishbone is believed to bring good luck. This tradition originated from which ancient civilization?

The tradition of breaking a wishbone for luck dates back to the ancient Etruscans, who believed chickens held prophetic powers.

Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on a different day than in the United States. Which day of the week is it?

Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October, a tradition that became a national holiday in 1879.

What type of pie is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving dessert?

Pumpkin pie is a quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, often served with whipped cream or ice cream.

The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade featured what instead of the giant character balloons seen today?

The inaugural Macy's Christmas Parade in 1924 (later the Thanksgiving Day Parade) included live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.

Which NFL team, besides the Detroit Lions, also traditionally hosts a Thanksgiving Day game?

The Dallas Cowboys began hosting a Thanksgiving Day game in 1966, establishing a second long-standing tradition alongside the Detroit Lions.

What is the primary reason Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the date of Thanksgiving in 1939?

President Roosevelt aimed to extend the Christmas shopping season by moving Thanksgiving earlier, hoping to stimulate retail sales and boost the economy during the Great Depression.

The journey of the Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrims to Plymouth, lasted approximately how many days?

The Mayflower's voyage from Plymouth, England, to Cape Cod (near Plymouth Colony's eventual site) in 1620 took 66 days.

What term did some people use to refer to Thanksgiving when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved its date?

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to an earlier date in November, it was controversially nicknamed "Franksgiving" by some.

In what year did Congress officially set Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November?

After President Roosevelt's attempt to move Thanksgiving earlier caused confusion, Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941, officially establishing Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

What is the common name for the rich, savory sauce often served with turkey and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving?

Gravy, typically made from the pan drippings of the roasted turkey, is a traditional and essential accompaniment to many Thanksgiving dishes.

The first professional football game played on Thanksgiving Day occurred in what year?

While college football games on Thanksgiving date back to 1876, the first professional NFL game on Thanksgiving was played in 1920 between the Akron Pros and the Canton Bulldogs.

What popular Thanksgiving vegetable side dish often includes cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions?

Green bean casserole, a classic American dish, is a common and beloved fixture on many Thanksgiving dinner tables.

Which character balloon holds the record for the most appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Snoopy, the beloved beagle from Peanuts, holds the record for the most different balloon versions and overall appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The tradition of Thanksgiving in the United States has roots in harvest festivals from what region?

Thanksgiving as a holiday in the United States has its roots in traditional harvest festivals celebrated by early European settlers in colonial New England.

What type of bird is traditionally hunted and eaten during Thanksgiving, though less commonly wild-caught today?

The turkey is the traditional bird of Thanksgiving, though most consumed today are domesticated rather than wild-caught.

The term 'Black Friday' in a financial context referred to a market crash in 1869 involving what commodity?

Before its association with shopping, "Black Friday" referred to a financial panic in 1869 when financiers tried to corner the U.S. gold market.

In what decade did the Dallas Cowboys begin their tradition of hosting a Thanksgiving Day football game?

The Dallas Cowboys started their tradition of hosting a Thanksgiving Day game in 1966.

Which founding father famously remarked in a letter that the turkey was a 'much more respectable bird' than the bald eagle, though he never officially proposed it as the national bird?

Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter expressing his personal preference for the turkey over the bald eagle, praising its character, though it was not a formal proposal.

What is the average number of turkeys consumed in the United States on Thanksgiving Day each year?

Americans consume an estimated 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving Day alone.

What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620?

The Mayflower famously transported the English Pilgrims from Plymouth, England, to the New World in 1620.

Which of these is NOT considered a traditional Thanksgiving side dish?

While Thanksgiving meals vary, sushi is not a traditional dish typically associated with the American holiday feast, unlike mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.