The story goes that in 1865, a live turkey arrived at the White House to be cooked for Christmas dinner. Lincoln's son Tad took such a liking to the bird that he named him Jack and requested that his dad spare his life. As such, the president pardoned the turkey, and from then on, it became a tradition for each subsequent president to pardon a turkey at Thanksgiving time. Lincoln, moved by his son’s compassion, spared Jack. No grand proclamation. Just a quiet act of mercy.
While Lincoln was the earliest example of pardoning the white house turkey, the official “pardon” began in 1989 under President George H. W. Bush, and every president since has continued it.
This lighthearted ritual, known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, has become a staple of the holiday season. Each year, the President of the United States ceremonially spares a turkey (and often a backup companion) from becoming dinner. The event typically unfolds in the Rose Garden or on the South Lawn, complete with speeches, schoolchildren, and plenty of poultry puns.
The turkeys are usually given names and in 2024, the honored birds were Peach and Blossom. The Pardoning of the turkey usually takes place on the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Trump has a knack at granting pardons that I certainly hope he pardons these two turkeys.
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