Thanksgiving trivia is a fun way to celebrate the holiday and spark engaging conversations. Here are 12 quick facts to make your quiz night memorable:
- The First Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days: It wasn’t just one meal; it was a three-day feast in 1621 with the Wampanoag and Plymouth colonists.
- Lincoln Made Thanksgiving a Holiday: Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War.
- Presidential Turkey Pardons Began in 1989: George H.W. Bush started this modern tradition.
- Towns Named ‘Turkey’: There are U.S. towns with turkey-themed names, like Turkey, Texas, and Turkey Creek, Louisiana.
- Heaviest Turkey on Record: Some turkeys have weighed far more than the average 15–20 pounds.
- Butterball Hotline: This turkey advice line has answered quirky and practical questions since its start.
- Macy’s Parade Origins: The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 featured live animals from the zoo.
- Turkey as the National Bird?: Benjamin Franklin once suggested the turkey instead of the bald eagle.
- TV Dinners Started with Leftover Turkey: In 1953, Swanson turned 260 tons of surplus turkey into the first TV dinners.
- Turkey Trots Began in the 1800s: The YMCA in Buffalo, NY, started the first Thanksgiving race.
- "Jingle Bells" and Thanksgiving: Despite myths, the song has no solid link to Thanksgiving.
- Turkey Weight Trends: Average turkey weights have increased from 13 pounds in 1960 to over 15 pounds today.
Use these facts to create engaging trivia questions, spark debates, or add a historical twist to your Thanksgiving celebrations. For more trivia, check out Cheap Trivia’s Thanksgiving packs.
Thanksgiving History Quiz: Test Your Knowledge! | 20 …
1. The Original Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 wasn’t just a single afternoon – it stretched across three days.
This gathering brought together the Wampanoag people and the Plymouth colonists in what is now Massachusetts. While modern Thanksgiving celebrations typically last a few hours, this extended feast highlights how much of early American history remains unclear. Since many details of the event weren’t recorded, it leaves room for plenty of interesting discussions and debates.
Looking to add some historical flair to your trivia night? Check out our themed trivia packs at https://cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs.
Quiz Master Tip: Use this as a multiple-choice question! Most people think Thanksgiving has always been a one-day event, so it’s a great way to challenge assumptions and spark conversations about the past.
2. Lincoln Declared Thanksgiving a Holiday
Thanksgiving wasn’t always a national holiday. It was President Abraham Lincoln who officially recognized it on October 3, 1863, during the Civil War. He designated the last Thursday in November as a time for the nation to come together and reflect. This decision not only shaped the holiday but remains a favorite topic for trivia fans.
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Quiz Tip: Turn this into a two-part question – ask when Thanksgiving became a national holiday and how the specific date was chosen.
3. How Presidents Pardon Turkeys
The tradition of the presidential turkey pardon officially started in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush. Despite popular belief, it doesn’t have ancient roots – this modern tradition has a much more recent history.
Want to dive into more Thanksgiving trivia? Check out a collection of historical facts about this all-American holiday at Cheap Trivia. It’s a great way to uncover more about this festive tradition.
Quiz Idea: Create a multiple-choice question with different presidents and years to challenge the common misconception about when the tradition began.
4. U.S. Cities Named ‘Turkey’
Here’s a fun Thanksgiving fact: there are a few towns in the U.S. with the name Turkey. These include Turkey, Texas, Turkey Creek, Louisiana, Turkey, North Carolina, and Turkey Valley, South Dakota.
Trivia Tip: Create a quiz where participants match each turkey-themed town to its state!
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5. Record-Breaking Turkey Weight
Most Thanksgiving turkeys tip the scales at 15–20 pounds, but some have weighed much more thanks to modern farming techniques.
Here’s a fun idea for your gathering:
Trivia Challenge: Can anyone guess how much heavier the heaviest turkey was compared to the average bird?
For more fun trivia, check out Cheap Trivia’s Thanksgiving collection or sign up for their weekly trivia service.
6. The Butterball Hotline Story
Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line has become a go-to resource for Thanksgiving turkey advice. What started as a simple cooking helpline has grown into a beloved holiday tradition.
The hotline fields all kinds of questions – ranging from straightforward cooking tips to quirky ones, like unusual thawing techniques or creative recipe ideas. These exchanges add a fun and lighthearted element to the holiday season.
Now, the service is more accessible than ever. You can reach it through text, email, social media, and even voice-activated platforms.
Looking for more Thanksgiving-themed trivia? Check out Cheap Trivia’s curated collection for your quiz nights: Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs or subscribe to their Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
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7. The First Macy’s Parade Featured Live Animals
Back in 1924, the very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade showcased live animals from the Central Park Zoo instead of the massive balloons we associate with the event today. It’s a fun bit of history that shows just how much the parade has evolved. Want to impress your friends with more holiday trivia? Check out Cheap Trivia’s Thanksgiving collection or sign up for their Weekly Trivia Subscription Service.
8. Turkey vs. Eagle: National Bird Debate
Did you know Benjamin Franklin once suggested the turkey as America’s national bird? While the bald eagle ultimately became the symbol of freedom and pride, Franklin’s choice highlights the turkey’s cultural role in American history.
This debate isn’t just a quirky historical tidbit – it offers a deeper look into how symbols shape national identity. The turkey’s significance goes beyond Thanksgiving dinners, reflecting an alternate perspective on what could have represented the nation.
Curious to learn more? This bit of history makes for great trivia! Check out Cheap Trivia’s Thanksgiving collection for more fun facts. Their Weekly Trivia Subscription features over 40 engaging questions.
9. How TV Dinners Started
TV dinners came about thanks to a huge turkey surplus. After Thanksgiving in 1953, Swanson found themselves with 260 tons of leftover turkey. To deal with the excess, they came up with a new idea that would change the way Americans ate: the TV dinner.
This clever solution not only reduced waste but also kicked off the era of convenient, ready-to-eat meals. It’s a fascinating piece of food history that makes for a great trivia question.
Check out more Thanksgiving trivia in Cheap Trivia’s themed collection or sign up for their Weekly Trivia Subscription.
10. When Turkey Trots Started
Here’s a fun fact to spice up your trivia night: Turkey Trots have been a Thanksgiving tradition in the U.S. for over a century. The first Turkey Trot took place in the late 1800s in Buffalo, New York, organized by the YMCA. This race set the stage for the festive runs we see across the country today.
Modern Turkey Trots often feature costume contests and prizes, adding extra fun to the holiday. These runs have become a lively part of Thanksgiving celebrations, making them a great topic for trivia questions.
Want more Thanksgiving-themed trivia? Check out Cheap Trivia’s collection at cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs or subscribe to their weekly trivia service for new content all year.
11. Jingle Bells’ Thanksgiving Origins
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no solid evidence linking "Jingle Bells" to Thanksgiving. While the song is often associated with the holiday season, its origins don’t point to Thanksgiving specifically.
For well-researched Thanksgiving trivia, check out our curated collections at cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs. Want to keep your trivia nights lively? Try our weekly trivia subscription service at cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service.
Dive into more trivia below!
12. Turkey Weight Trends
Back in 1960, the average Thanksgiving turkey weighed 13 pounds. Fast forward to 2022, and that number climbed to 15.3 pounds – a 17% jump over six decades.
Want to dive deeper into Thanksgiving facts? Check out our themed trivia packs at https://cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs or sign up for our weekly trivia subscription at https://cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service.
Conclusion
These fun facts are perfect for creating an unforgettable trivia night. From three-day feasts and presidential turkey pardons to live animals at the first Macy’s Parade and the surprising origins of TV dinners, there’s plenty of material to keep your audience entertained.
"Our trivia nights have completely turned around our slow evenings. We’ve seen a significant increase in new customers, and our regulars love it. Highly recommend!" – The 1762 at the Warwick Hotel
If you’re planning a trivia night, try organizing the questions into themed rounds like:
- Historical Origins
- Presidential Traditions
- Food Facts and Records
- Entertainment and Culture
Thanksgiving-themed trivia nights are a great way to draw in crowds during the holiday season. Combining history, traditions, and unexpected tidbits creates a fun and engaging experience for all.
Want to get started? Grab our Thanksgiving Trivia Night Theme Pack for $14.99, or subscribe for $59.99/month for weekly trivia packs that keep your events fresh. Each pack includes three Q&A rounds plus a picture round to mix things up.
Make your event the talk of the town! Check out our full collection of holiday-themed trivia packs at https://cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs.
