Get the Full Picture: Terry the turkey

Thanksgiving’s iconic association with turkey runs deep, with an estimated 46 million turkeys consumed annually for the holiday, comprising about 21% of the 216.5 million turkeys produced in the U.S. each year, according to the USDA. While popular belief links the tradition to the first Thanksgiving in 1621, historical accounts suggest the menu likely included venison, waterfowl, and harvest vegetables, with no conclusive evidence of turkey being served.

Beyond the dinner table, turkeys have become part of national rituals, such as the White House Turkey Pardon, a tradition dating back to at least the mid-1800s when a poultry dealer began gifting turkeys to U.S. presidents. Today, the president pardons at least one turkey each year, allowing the bird to live out its days on a farm or zoo. A practice officially framed as a "pardon" since President George H.W. Bush coined the term in 1989. This blend of historical myth, cultural tradition, and modern spectacle underscores the turkey’s unique role in the Thanksgiving celebration. 

Just remember, it's always exciting to get the invite to Thanksgiving, especially when you're a turkey. Don't be like Terry though, dig deeper and get the full picture.