Thanksgiving is more than turkey and pie – it’s filled with surprising stories and quirky traditions that make for great trivia. Here are 12 fun facts to spark conversations at your next gathering:
- Presidential Turkey Pardons: The tradition started in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush.
- ‘Jingle Bells’ and Thanksgiving: The song may have been linked to Thanksgiving before Christmas.
- TV Dinners Origin: Leftover turkeys in the 1950s led to the invention of TV dinners.
- Pumpkin Pie Evolution: It wasn’t part of the first Thanksgiving but became a staple by the 1800s.
- Zoo Animals in Macy’s Parade: Early parades featured live animals before giant balloons.
- Balloon Release Mystery: Macy’s once let balloons float away, but records are unclear.
- Santa in the Parade: Marks the start of the Christmas season.
- Lincoln’s Declaration: Thanksgiving became a national holiday during the Civil War in 1863.
- Franklin’s Turkey Proposal: Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as the U.S. symbol.
- Pilgrims’ Survival: Native American help turned their first winter struggles into a harvest celebration.
- Football Tradition: Thanksgiving games began in the 1930s with the Detroit Lions.
- Plumbing Myths: Black Friday plumbing issues are more myth than fact.
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1. How the White House Turkey Pardon Started
In 1989, President George H. W. Bush officially turned the turkey pardon into a tradition by sparing one lucky bird from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. Since then, it’s become a beloved part of the holiday festivities.
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2. ‘Jingle Bells’ Was Originally Linked to Thanksgiving?
There’s a curious claim that ‘Jingle Bells’ was first written for Thanksgiving. However, there’s no solid evidence to back this up. The song’s exact connection to Thanksgiving remains a mystery, but this fun tidbit certainly adds an interesting twist to the holiday’s traditions.
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3. Thanksgiving Surplus Led to TV Dinner Creation
Back in the 1950s, Swanson & Sons found themselves with an unexpected problem: too many leftover Thanksgiving turkeys. Their solution? The creation of the TV dinner – a pre-packaged, portioned meal that could be easily heated and enjoyed. With televisions becoming a central part of family life, this idea allowed people to eat dinner while catching their favorite shows, changing how families approached mealtime and convenience foods.
This clever idea also influenced modern Thanksgiving traditions in unexpected ways. For more fun food history and trivia, check out Cheap Trivia’s weekly themed trivia subscription service (https://cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service) or explore their Thanksgiving trivia theme packs (https://cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs).
4. The Late Addition of Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie wasn’t part of the original 1621 Thanksgiving feast, despite what many might think. Early settlers did eat pumpkin, but they prepared it in a completely different way. They would hollow out the pumpkin, fill it with milk, honey, and spices, and roast it in hot ashes – no pie crust involved.
The first pumpkin pie recipe appeared in American Cookery, a cookbook by Amelia Simmons published in 1796. However, pumpkin pie didn’t become a Thanksgiving classic until the mid-1800s. The availability of pre-made crusts and the introduction of Libby’s canned pumpkin in 1929 played a big role in making it the holiday favorite we know today. This shift reflects how Thanksgiving traditions have evolved over time.
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5. Real Zoo Animals in Early Macy’s Parades
In the early days of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, live zoo animals reportedly took center stage instead of the iconic giant helium balloons we see today. Lions, tigers, elephants, and bears were borrowed from local zoos to entertain the crowds. However, navigating New York City’s bustling streets with live animals quickly became a logistical nightmare. This led organizers to transition to the oversized helium balloons that have since become a hallmark of the event.
This unusual tidbit is just one of the many surprising stories tied to Thanksgiving traditions.
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6. Macy’s Balloon Release Program
There are stories about early Macy’s Thanksgiving Parades involving balloon releases. According to some accounts, giant helium balloons were let go, and anyone who found one might receive a reward. However, there aren’t detailed records to confirm these tales, leaving this part of the parade’s history shrouded in mystery. This uncertainty only adds to the charm of the event’s long-standing traditions.
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7. How Santa Joined the Macy’s Parade
Santa Claus’s appearance at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the official kickoff to the holiday season in New York City. This moment symbolizes the shift from Thanksgiving celebrations to the excitement of Christmas, making it a cherished tradition for many.
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8. Lincoln Made Thanksgiving Official During War
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. His goal? To bring a sense of unity to a nation deeply divided.
This decision wasn’t made in isolation. Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, had been campaigning for a national Thanksgiving for years. Her persistent efforts included writing letters to multiple presidents, and her letter to Lincoln on September 28, 1863, played a key role in making the holiday official.
Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a day of gratitude. This tradition continued until 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt shifted it to the fourth Thursday in November.
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9. Franklin’s Push for the Turkey as National Symbol
Did you know Benjamin Franklin once suggested the turkey as a better symbol for America than the bald eagle? In a letter to his daughter Sarah Bache on January 26, 1784, Franklin argued that the turkey, a native bird, was a more fitting representation of American values. Despite his opinion, the Continental Congress had already selected the bald eagle as the national emblem back in 1782. This quirky tidbit adds a fun twist to the story behind Thanksgiving.
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10. A Close Call at Plymouth Colony
Long before Thanksgiving became a tradition, the Pilgrims faced a life-threatening ordeal. In November 1620, after enduring 66 grueling days at sea, the Mayflower landed at Cape Cod. Food supplies were dangerously low, and the group was far from their intended destination, the Colony of Virginia.
Originally bound for Virginia, the Mayflower was forced off course by hazardous shoals and harsh winter winds, anchoring instead at Cape Cod. This unplanned stop turned out to be a stroke of luck. The Pilgrims discovered the abandoned Native American settlement of Patuxet – later renamed Plymouth – which provided cleared land and access to fresh water. Even so, their first winter was brutal.
Between 1620 and 1621, the settlers faced extreme hardship. With only a few weeks’ worth of food left, starvation became a real threat. Nearly half of the 102 passengers died from exposure, scurvy, and disease. The colony’s fate seemed sealed until March 1621, when Tisquantum, better known as Squanto, entered the picture. Fluent in English and skilled in local farming techniques, Squanto showed the survivors how to grow corn and other essential crops, giving them a fighting chance.
That fall, the Pilgrims celebrated a bountiful harvest, marking the first Thanksgiving. Without the challenges they endured – and the crucial help from the Wampanoag people – the holiday we know today might never have existed.
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11. Why Football Became a Thanksgiving Staple
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pie – it’s also a day for football. This beloved tradition dates back to the early days of the holiday, long before the NFL became a household name.
The Detroit Lions kicked off this tradition in the 1930s, using a Thanksgiving game as a promotional event. What started as a clever idea quickly grew into a yearly ritual. A few decades later, in the 1960s, the Dallas Cowboys joined in, cementing football as a Thanksgiving fixture.
Today, Thanksgiving football games are among the most-watched events of the NFL’s regular season, blending the thrill of the sport with the holiday’s festive atmosphere. It’s a tradition that brings families together to cheer, celebrate, and argue over calls – all while passing the mashed potatoes.
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12. Plumbers and Black Friday: A Quirky Claim
There’s a common belief that plumbing problems skyrocket after Thanksgiving, thanks to all the extra cooking and cleaning. While it’s an amusing idea, there’s no solid proof that Black Friday is the busiest day for plumbers. Still, it makes for a fun addition to your Thanksgiving trivia collection.
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Conclusion
From presidential turkey pardons to the unexpected origins of "Jingle Bells", Thanksgiving’s history is full of surprising and entertaining stories. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or organizing a community event, these fun facts can turn a simple trivia night into something truly memorable.
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Add a little extra fun to your Thanksgiving celebration with quirky history and unique facts. Who wouldn’t enjoy learning about live zoo animals at early Macy’s parades or Benjamin Franklin’s campaign to make the turkey America’s national symbol?
