Interesting Thanksgiving Fun Facts
The first Thanksgiving feast lasted for three days.
Turkeys were not on the menu during the first Thanksgiving; instead, they enjoyed deer, fish, and lobsters.
Thanksgiving became an official holiday in the United States in 1863.
The first Thanksgiving football game was played in 1876.
The largest Thanksgiving parade is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
The average weight of a turkey consumed on Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
The world’s largest pumpkin pie weighed over 3,699 pounds.
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving, too, but in October.
The famous turkey pardon started with President Abraham Lincoln sparing his son’s pet turkey from being eaten.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires in the United States.
Each year, over 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving.
The green bean casserole is a popular Thanksgiving side dish and was invented by the Campbell Soup Company in 1955.
The wishbone tradition dates back to the ancient Romans. It is believed that the one who breaks the bone will have their wish granted.
Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving, got its name in the 1960s due to heavy traffic congestions.
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony and was signed on November 21, 16
The iconic Thanksgiving song Over the River and Through the Woods was written by Lydia Maria Child.
Interesting Thanksgiving Fun Facts part 2
Cranberries are a staple on Thanksgiving tables and were used by Native Americans to treat wounds and dye clothing.
The first Thanksgiving was held in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt once tried moving Thanksgiving to an earlier date, but there was considerable backlash, and it was eventually moved back.
The Pilgrims used to dance and play games like chess and cards during the first Thanksgiving celebration.
The phrase talk turkey meaning to talk business seriously, originated from colonial times when Native Americans and Pilgrims would negotiate over the hunting of wild turkeys.
Thanksgiving is the second-largest holiday for greeting cards, following Christmas.
The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have hosted Thanksgiving Day football games since the 1930s.
President John F. Kennedy was the first to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey officially in 1963.
The busiest travel day during Thanksgiving weekend is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
The majority of turkeys consumed on Thanksgiving are female because they are typically smaller and more tender.
Sarah Josepha Hale, the writer of the nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb, campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marchers can earn up to $400 for participating in the event.
The first Thanksgiving is estimated to have taken place between September and November of 16
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States instead of the bald eagle.
Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin pie and pecan pie became popular in the 1700s.
The traditional Thanksgiving colors are orange, brown, and yellow, reflecting the autumn season.
The longest recorded turkey flight was 1.7 miles.
Wild turkeys can run at speeds of up to 20-25 miles per hour.
Thanksgiving is known as Jour de l’Action de grace in French-speaking parts of Canada.
Thanksgiving celebrations were held by Native Americans long before the arrival of the Pilgrims.
The average American Thanksgiving meal consists of over 4,500 calories.
President George H.W. Bush was the first to officially pardon a turkey in the Rose Garden ceremony.
In Canada, the Monday following Thanksgiving is known as Cyber Monday, with many retailers offering online deals.
The common practice of sharing what we’re thankful for around the Thanksgiving table dates back to the Pilgrims.
Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the United States.
According to the American Automobile Association, over 54 million people travel during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
Thanksgiving was originally celebrated as a religious holiday to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
Approximately 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed on Thanksgiving.
The most popular Thanksgiving side dish is mashed potatoes.