Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring family and friends together, and adding trivia to your celebration can make it even more enjoyable. Here’s a quick overview of 25 Thanksgiving-themed trivia questions to spark conversations and create lasting memories. From historical facts to fun traditions, this list has something for everyone.
Key Highlights:
- Historical Insights: Learn about the first Thanksgiving in 1621, the Pilgrims’ journey on the Mayflower, and Abraham Lincoln’s role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday.
- Fun Facts: Discover why "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song and how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924.
- Food Trivia: Did you know most pumpkin pies are made with canned pumpkin or that the average Thanksgiving meal contains 4,500 calories?
- Cultural Tidbits: Find out why Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October and the meaning behind the cornucopia.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner or looking for a way to entertain guests, these trivia questions will add a fun and interactive twist to your holiday.
Explore the full list below or check out themed trivia packs for even more holiday fun!
Thanksgiving Trivia Game
1. First Thanksgiving Year
Question: In what year was the first Thanksgiving celebration held between the Pilgrims and Native Americans?
Answer: The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, marking an important moment in early American history.
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Stay tuned for more fun facts in the next question!
2. Native American Tribe at First Thanksgiving
Question: Which Native American tribe participated in the first Thanksgiving feast with the Pilgrims?
Answer: The Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit, took part in the three-day feast in Plymouth Colony. They played a crucial role in helping the Pilgrims survive by teaching them essential farming techniques. The name ‘Wampanoag’ translates to ‘People of the First Light,’ and their land once covered parts of southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island.
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3. Pilgrims’ Ship Name
Question: What was the name of the famous ship that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620?
Answer: The Mayflower carried 102 Pilgrims and around 30 crew members to the New World. This 100-foot ship departed from Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620, and reached Cape Cod after a 66-day voyage.
Originally built as a cargo ship, the Mayflower wasn’t meant for passengers, let alone a long journey across the Atlantic. Despite the challenges, it managed to complete its historic mission, bringing the Pilgrims to their new home.
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4. President Who Made Thanksgiving Official
Question: Which U.S. President officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War. On October 3, 1863, he set aside the last Thursday in November as a day of gratitude. Before this, states celebrated Thanksgiving on various dates. Sarah Josepha Hale played a key role in this decision, advocating for 36 years to make the holiday a reality.
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5. Pilgrims’ Landing Rock
Question: What is the name of the famous rock where the Pilgrims supposedly first stepped onto American soil?
Answer: Plymouth Rock, found in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is a symbol of early American history and is traditionally recognized as the Pilgrims’ landing site in 1620. While no records from that time mention a specific rock, Elder Thomas Faunce first identified it as the landing spot in 1715.
Visitors can see Plymouth Rock today at Pilgrim Memorial State Park, where it sits under a granite canopy. The rock, which was accidentally split in 1774, was reassembled in 1880 and now bears the inscription "1620" to honor the Pilgrims’ arrival.
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6. Main Pumpkin Pie Ingredient
Question: Do most Thanksgiving pies use canned or fresh pumpkin?
Answer: Most pies are made with canned pumpkin. Its even texture and moisture make it a go-to choice for consistent baking results.
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7. Average Thanksgiving Meal Calories
Question: How many calories does the average American consume during their Thanksgiving meal?
Answer: The average Thanksgiving meal packs in around 4,500 calories. This hefty total comes from dishes like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and, of course, desserts.
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8. Most Popular Side Dish
Question: What is consistently ranked as America’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish?
Answer: Mashed potatoes take the crown as America’s top Thanksgiving side dish. Other crowd-pleasers include stuffing and mac and cheese, which are also staples on many holiday tables.
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9. Top Turkey-Producing State
Question: Which U.S. state produces the most turkeys?
Answer: Minnesota takes the top spot in turkey production.
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10. New York City Thanksgiving Parade Name
Question: What is the official name of New York City’s famous Thanksgiving Day parade?
Answer: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over the years, this beloved event has grown from a local festivity into a nationwide celebration.
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Stick around for more Thanksgiving facts!
11. Most Thanksgiving NFL Games Played
Question: Which NFL team has played the most Thanksgiving Day games in league history?
Answer: The Detroit Lions hold the record for the most Thanksgiving Day games. Their yearly appearance has become a hallmark of the holiday’s football tradition.
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12. Largest Pumpkin Pie Record
Question: What is the record for the largest pumpkin pie ever baked?
Answer: On September 25, 2010, the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in New Bremen, Ohio, set a record for the largest pumpkin pie ever made. This massive dessert weighed an astonishing 3,699 pounds and stretched 20 feet across. Here’s what went into making it:
- 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin
- 109 gallons of evaporated milk
- 2,796 eggs
- 525 pounds of sugar
- 7 pounds of salt
- 14.5 pounds of cinnamon
- 233 pounds of crust mixture
The pie baked for over six hours in a specially designed oven. It still holds its place in the Guinness World Records as the largest pumpkin pie ever created.
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13. Turkey Pardon History
Question: When did the White House turkey pardon tradition officially begin?
Answer: The exact origins of the White House turkey pardon remain unclear, but it has become a lighthearted event held just before Thanksgiving. During the ceremony in the Rose Garden, a turkey is humorously spared and often given a fun, creative name.
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14. Pilgrims’ Original Thanksgiving Purpose
Let’s dive into the roots of Thanksgiving:
Question: Why did the Pilgrims hold the first Thanksgiving celebration?
Answer: In 1621, the Pilgrims organized a three-day harvest feast to mark their successful crop after enduring a tough winter. This gathering resembled an English harvest festival, filled with food, games, and camaraderie, rather than a formal ceremony. They shared this celebration with Native American allies, enjoying a menu based on local ingredients, quite different from the Thanksgiving meals we know today.
15. First State to Make Thanksgiving Official
Question: Which state was the first to officially recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday?
Answer: New Hampshire was the first state to officially recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday in 1782. Governor John Langdon declared a day of public thanksgiving to honor the nation’s independence and a successful harvest – almost 80 years before Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863.
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16. First Macy’s Parade Year
Question: When was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City?
Answer: The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1924. It was originally called the "Macy’s Christmas Parade" and was organized by Macy’s employees, many of whom were first-generation immigrants celebrating their new American traditions. The parade featured zoo animals, floats, bands, and about 400 Macy’s employees.
The route ran from Harlem to Macy’s flagship store. The iconic giant character balloons, now a hallmark of the parade, made their debut in 1927 with Felix the Cat.
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17. Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special Title
Question: What is the title of the iconic Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special?
Answer: The title of this beloved holiday classic is "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." Created by Charles M. Schulz, this animated special has become a key part of Thanksgiving traditions in the U.S. Its quirky dinner scene and focus on friendship make it a timeless favorite.
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18. Turkey Consumption Statistics
Question: How many turkeys do Americans eat on Thanksgiving Day, according to the National Turkey Federation?
Answer: Around 46 million turkeys are eaten by Americans on Thanksgiving Day. This represents roughly 20% of the entire yearly turkey production.
Here’s a closer look:
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Annual Turkey Production | 230 million birds |
| Thanksgiving Day Consumption | 46 million birds |
| Average Turkey Size | 16 pounds |
| Total Weight Consumed | 736 million pounds |
| Share of Annual Production | 20% |
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19. Busiest U.S. Travel Day
Question: What’s the busiest travel day in the U.S. around Thanksgiving?
Answer: The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, often called ‘Thanksgiving Eve,’ sees the highest number of travelers as people head out for the holiday.
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20. Top Thanksgiving Dessert
Question: What’s the most popular dessert for Thanksgiving?
Answer: Pumpkin pie takes the crown as the favorite Thanksgiving dessert, loved for its rich spices and smooth, creamy texture.
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21. Horn-Shaped Table Decoration Name
Question: What is the name of the horn-shaped table decoration traditionally associated with Thanksgiving?
Answer: It’s called the cornucopia, also known as the "horn of plenty." This classic decoration is a Thanksgiving table favorite.
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Stay tuned for more holiday facts!
22. October Thanksgiving Country
Question: Which country celebrates Thanksgiving in October instead of November?
Answer: Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. This tradition dates back to 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher held a harvest feast in what is now Nunavut. In 2025, Canadian Thanksgiving will be observed on October 13.
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23. Heaviest Turkey Record
Question: What is the record for the heaviest turkey ever raised?
Answer: While there are many claims about the heaviest turkey ever raised, none have been officially verified. These claims often lack confirmation, leaving the exact record unclear.
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24. Song That Switched From Thanksgiving to Christmas
Question: Which popular holiday song was originally written for Thanksgiving but later became associated with Christmas?
Answer: "Jingle Bells", written by James Lord Pierpont and originally published as "One Horse Open Sleigh" in 1857, was meant for a Thanksgiving concert at Pierpont’s church in Savannah, Georgia. Over time, its snowy imagery and festive tune connected it more with Christmas, leaving its Thanksgiving roots largely forgotten.
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25. Day After Thanksgiving Name
Question: What is the official name of the day after Thanksgiving, and how did it get this name?
Answer: The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. The name dates back to 1960s Philadelphia, where local police used it to describe the heavy traffic and packed sidewalks caused by shoppers flooding the city. Over time, it became associated with the start of the holiday shopping season, as stores began offering big discounts.
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Conclusion
Thanksgiving trivia adds a fun and interactive twist to holiday gatherings, bringing family and friends together for laughter and conversation. These 25 questions offer a glimpse into America’s Thanksgiving traditions, sparking discussions and creating memorable moments around the table.
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