Thanksgiving is more than a holiday meal – it’s a tradition rooted in history and culture. Here are 10 key facts to make your celebration richer and more engaging:
- The Original Menu: The 1621 feast included venison, seafood, and waterfowl – not today’s turkey and stuffing.
- Lincoln’s Holiday Proclamation: Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.
- Roosevelt’s Date Change: FDR briefly moved Thanksgiving to boost holiday shopping, causing confusion.
- Macy’s Parade: Started in 1924, it featured live animals before switching to balloons.
- Football Tradition: Thanksgiving football began with college games and remains a holiday staple.
- Turkey Pardons: Officially started in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush.
- Native Perspectives: Thanksgiving’s history includes diverse views from Native Americans.
- Travel Stats: Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times in the U.S.
- Black Friday Origins: The term began in 1960s Philadelphia due to post-Thanksgiving shopping chaos.
- Record Numbers: Millions of turkeys are consumed, and the Macy’s Parade attracts over 50M viewers annually.
Use these facts to spark conversations, host trivia games, or simply deepen your appreciation for this cherished holiday.
Thanksgiving Quiz Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your …
1. The Original Thanksgiving Menu
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 looked nothing like the holiday feast we know today. According to historical accounts from Edward Winslow and William Bradford, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared a meal that was quite different from the modern spread.
This three-day celebration was centered around wild game and seafood. Venison was a key dish, contributed by the Wampanoag. Other likely menu items included wild turkey, ducks, geese, fish, and shellfish from the Atlantic coast.
Here’s a side-by-side look at what historians believe was served at the first Thanksgiving compared to today’s typical dishes:
| First Thanksgiving (1621) | Modern Thanksgiving |
|---|---|
| Venison | Roast Turkey |
| Waterfowl (Duck/Geese) | Stuffing |
| Fish & Shellfish | Mashed Potatoes |
| Possibly Wild Turkey | Green Bean Casserole |
| Corn (dried, made into porridge) | Cranberry Sauce |
| Native Berries & Nuts | Pumpkin Pie |
Many of today’s staples were missing. Potatoes hadn’t yet made their way to North America, and dishes like cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie were far from what we enjoy now.
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2. Lincoln Establishes Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared it would be observed on the last Thursday of November. This decision came after Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book and author of Mary Had a Little Lamb, spent 36 years petitioning presidents to create a unified day of thanks.
During the Civil War, Lincoln viewed Thanksgiving as a way to bring the nation together. His proclamation on October 3, 1863, aligned various state celebrations into a single national tradition, laying the groundwork for the Thanksgiving we know today.
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3. Roosevelt’s Date Change Decision
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to shift Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the second-to-last Thursday. The move was influenced by retailers who worried that a late Thanksgiving would leave less time for Christmas shopping.
The decision caused nationwide confusion. Some states stuck with the original date, while others followed Roosevelt’s new date. This split created logistical headaches for families, businesses, and even football games.
During the two-year trial period, 32 states adopted the new date, 16 kept the traditional one, and Texas and Colorado celebrated on both dates. After mixed reactions and unclear economic benefits, Congress stepped in. In December 1941, they passed a law officially designating Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November. Roosevelt signed it, and that’s the date we continue to observe.
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4. Macy’s Parade: From Start to Now
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a cherished part of the holiday since its debut in 1924. Initially called the "Macy’s Christmas Parade", it was organized by Macy’s employees, many of whom were first-generation immigrants celebrating their new American traditions. Over the years, the parade has grown into a cultural phenomenon with several unforgettable moments.
In its early days, the parade featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, including elephants, monkeys, and camels. The shift to the now-famous giant balloons began in 1927 with the introduction of Felix the Cat, the parade’s first inflatable character.
By 1948, the parade was televised, bringing its magic to households nationwide and solidifying its place as a Thanksgiving staple.
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5. The First Thanksgiving Football Game
Thanksgiving football has roots in college games, which helped turn it into a holiday tradition. These early matches set the stage for the modern holiday, where football now plays a central role.
Today, Thanksgiving wouldn’t feel complete without football. Whether it’s watching college or professional games or playing a friendly Turkey Bowl, football has become a key part of the celebration.
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6. When Presidents Started Pardoning Turkeys
The turkey pardon ceremony has become a fun Thanksgiving tradition at the White House. It officially started in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush. Each year, the President pardons a turkey in the Rose Garden, turning the event into a lighthearted moment that even includes giving the turkey a name.
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7. What Native Americans Think About Thanksgiving
Native Americans hold a range of views on Thanksgiving, shaped by centuries of history and cultural experiences. These perspectives often challenge the traditional stories surrounding the holiday, offering a deeper look into the complex relationships and events that influenced early American history.
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8. Holiday Travel Numbers and Stats
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times in the U.S., with millions hitting the road, flying, or using other transportation. According to the American Automobile Association, travel during this holiday often reaches record levels, highlighting the challenges of navigating peak-season traffic.
Flying during Thanksgiving typically comes with higher ticket prices. Major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Denver International are among the busiest hubs during this period.
The busiest days for travel mirror these patterns. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, often called "Getaway Wednesday", sees a surge in travelers, while the Sunday after Thanksgiving is packed with return trips. For those driving, expect longer delays in large metro areas as traffic builds along popular routes.
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9. How Black Friday Began
Black Friday got its start in Philadelphia during the post-Thanksgiving rush. Back in the 1960s, local police came up with the term "Black Friday" to describe the chaotic scenes of packed streets and heavy traffic caused by eager shoppers flooding the city.
Retailers quickly embraced the day, turning it into the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Over time, it became synonymous with extended store hours, early morning deals, and eventually even Thanksgiving Day sales.
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10. Biggest Thanksgiving Numbers and Records
Thanksgiving isn’t just about traditions – it’s also a time for breaking records. Each year, millions of turkeys are prepared and eaten across the country, making it one of the biggest days for poultry consumption in the U.S. These staggering numbers add a fun twist to Thanksgiving trivia.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade also continues to set records. In recent years, it’s boasted the most balloons ever and record-breaking viewership. The parade now attracts over 3.5 million spectators in person and more than 50 million viewers on TV every year.
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Conclusion
Thanksgiving’s traditions are packed with fascinating stories and facts that can make your celebration even more enjoyable. Why not use these tidbits to add a little extra fun to your holiday?
Want to liven things up? Turn these facts into a trivia game! Take a cue from The 1762 at the Warwick Hotel:
"Our trivia nights have been a huge boost to our Thursday evenings. Our community loves it, and we’ve seen an almost 300% increase in sales. Highly recommend!"
Here are a few ways to use these facts:
- Organize a pre-dinner trivia session
- Spark meaningful family conversations
- Make history interesting and fun for everyone
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Whether you’re spending time with family or hosting a larger event, these Thanksgiving facts are a great way to entertain and educate, keeping old traditions alive while creating new memories.
