why the POTUS annually pardon a turkey
By murkie
@murkie (1103)
Philippines
November 17, 2012 9:19am CST
hello mylotters.
this discussion seems to be addressed to those from the US, or anybody else interested in its politics, or culture.
i've read that there's been a tradition of the president to pardon one live turkey before thanksgiving. the article did not say why, but stated how it became a formal ceremony and who made it such.
it piqued my curiosity so i decided to get a little bit of research. but before i go browsing on the net, i just thought that maybe i could start looking for it here. there may be some mylotters who could help me with an answer, or even an opinion about how the pardoning of a turkey came to be.
oh, and happy thanksgiving in advance.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
17 Nov 12
The most reliable information that I can find is that it was an urban legend dating back, at least, to the days of Abraham Lincoln, who was reputed to have responded to his son's pleas not to eat his pet turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Good story though it is, there is no documented evidence for it and, in fact, no documentary evidence of any President formally pardoning a turkey before President Bush in 1989. Snopes are well known for their dutiful research into such legends and here is what they have to say: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/pardon.asp
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
20 Nov 12
I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty certain that the White House menu includes 'turkey with all the trimmings' at Thanksgiving even if the President pardons ONE symbolic bird!
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
nice article. thanks for the link. well, it seems probable enough.
well, since we do not have the truth, some explanations would come handy and make treat them as facts. though it can be said that facts are just somebody else's opinions.
uh.. just a couple of questions: does the presidential family still serve turkey during thanksgiving dinner? the president let live of the turkey that was presented to him by the ntf, so where do he get a second one?
well, since we do not have the truth, some explanations would come handy and make treat them as facts. though it can be said that facts are just somebody else's opinions.
uh.. just a couple of questions: does the presidential family still serve turkey during thanksgiving dinner? the president let live of the turkey that was presented to him by the ntf, so where do he get a second one?
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
17 Nov 12
Ive never understood this at all.. I guess its just to mark the start of the holiday season in the usa.
1 person likes this
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
19 Nov 12
well maybe.
but i wonder how they came up with turkey and a presidential pardon being together just to start a season.
thanks for the response.
umm.. do you celebrate thanksgiving as well in your country? since you are neighbors, maybe there is some influence brought back there. and to think you have many country folks up on the other side. just asking.
umm.. do you celebrate thanksgiving as well in your country? since you are neighbors, maybe there is some influence brought back there. and to think you have many country folks up on the other side. just asking.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
17 Nov 12
I don't think anyone knows for sure just how it came about, but one story I remember reading was that Lincoln pardoned his son's pet turkey from being butchered for Thanksgiving. I don't know if that's even true, but it makes for a good story!
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
1 person likes this
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
19 Nov 12
hello peavey!
well, that's just as far as i got as well..
there seems to be any documented evidence regarding this. and i don't think anybody would ever have. this is maybe just some ordinary situation in a family.
anyway, it is indeed a good story to start with.
thanks for the response.
and thanks for the greeting. though we do not celebrate thanksgiving in my country. i just thought that since you do, i might as well greet you.
