Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that brings up fond memories of family, friends, and of course, food. But there’s so much more to this holiday than just the turkey and the trimmings. Beyond the gatherings, there’s a whole host of quirky, fascinating, and little-known facts that make Thanksgiving a truly unique American tradition.
Many people don’t realize how much Thanksgiving has evolved since the Pilgrims’ first harvest celebration. What began as a celebration of a successful harvest with allies has transformed over the centuries into a holiday filled with football games, parades, and even shopping sprees. It’s become a bit of a patchwork of different traditions, each bringing something special to the way we celebrate today.
And then, of course, there are the debates. Should you put marshmallows on sweet potatoes? Is it called stuffing or dressing? And does anyone actually like green bean casserole? No matter where you stand on these holiday controversies, Thanksgiving brings people together like no other holiday, with its blend of gratitude, history, and pure American charm. Let’s consider 13 facts about Thanksgiving that’ll give you a new appreciation for this beloved day.
1. Thanksgiving Wasn’t an Official Holiday Until Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, right in the middle of the Civil War. Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and the author of the children’s song “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” had been advocating for a national Thanksgiving holiday for over 30 years. She believed a unified day of gratitude would bring the divided country together.
Lincoln’s proclamation set the date as the last Thursday in November, though it wasn’t always consistent. It took President Franklin D. Roosevelt to establish the fourth Thursday in November as the official Thanksgiving date we observe today, after briefly moving it up a week in 1939 to lengthen the holiday shopping season.
2. The Macy’s Parade Started as a Christmas Celebration
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, an iconic Thanksgiving tradition, actually began as a way to celebrate Christmas. In 1924, Macy’s employees organized the parade to kick off the holiday shopping season, featuring live animals from the Central Park Zoo. The idea was to showcase the store’s new holiday window displays and attract more shoppers.
As the parade grew in popularity, it became a Thanksgiving Day staple with larger-than-life balloons, marching bands, and floats. And it is still arguably a celebration of the “official” start of the Christmas season. By the 1930s, the parade was cemented as an essential part of Thanksgiving, with millions tuning in each year to see the spectacle on TV.
3. Black Friday Wasn’t Always About Shopping
Today, Black Friday is practically a holiday in itself, but the term originally had nothing to do with retail sales. It was first used in the 1960s by Philadelphia police to describe the chaotic crowds and traffic on the day after Thanksgiving, as people flocked to the city for holiday shopping and the annual Army-Navy football game.
Retailers eventually embraced the term, rebranding it to refer to the day when their sales would “go into the black” (become profitable). Now, Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, sparking everything from early-morning lines to major online deals.
4. Turkey Pardoning is a Modern Tradition
The tradition of “pardoning” a turkey dates back to the mid-20th century, but it wasn’t formalized until George H.W. Bush made it an annual event in 1989. Each year, the President “pardons” a live turkey, sparing it from the dinner table and sending it to live out its days on a farm.
The lucky bird often gets VIP treatment, stays in a plush hotel room, and sometimes even attends press conferences. The turkey pardon has become a lighthearted symbol of the holiday season, capturing the spirit of fun that Thanksgiving brings.
5. The Wishbone Tradition Dates Back to Ancient Rome
Breaking the turkey’s wishbone is a Thanksgiving tradition many families enjoy, but did you know the tradition has ancient roots? The Romans believed that wishbones held magical powers, and they would make wishes on them. When the Romans brought the tradition to Britain, it eventually made its way to America.
On Thanksgiving, the wishbone ritual usually involves two people pulling on either side of the bone. Whoever gets the larger piece supposedly gets their wish granted. It’s a small, quirky part of Thanksgiving that brings a bit of magic and nostalgia to the dinner table.
6. Thanksgiving Has a Unique Canadian Counterpart
While Thanksgiving is mostly an American holiday, Canada celebrates its own version too, on a different date. Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday in October, partly due to the earlier Canadian harvest season and partly as a commemoration of explorer Martin Frobisher’s safe return from an expedition in the 16th century.
Though similar in spirit, Canadian Thanksgiving doesn’t feature the same big focus on football or parades. Instead, it’s often a quiet, family-oriented holiday, with turkey and pumpkin pie still very much on the menu.
7. Thanksgiving Sparked the Birth of TV Dinners
Believe it or not, the humble TV dinner owes its existence to Thanksgiving. In 1953, the food company Swanson ordered too many frozen turkeys, over 260 tons more than they could sell. Not wanting the turkey to go to waste, they devised a plan to slice it up, pair it with sides, and sell it in single-serving trays that could be easily heated at home.
The resulting “TV dinner” was an instant hit, kicking off a whole industry of convenience meals. To this day, Thanksgiving-inspired dinners with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes can be found in the frozen aisle.
8. The First NFL Thanksgiving Game Was Played in 1934
Football is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as the turkey itself, and it all started in 1934 when the Detroit Lions decided to host a Thanksgiving Day game to boost ticket sales. The game was broadcast on the radio, and it turned out to be a big success, starting a tradition that continues to this day.
Now, millions of Americans tune in to watch the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving, with a third game added to the roster in recent years. It’s a lively backdrop to the holiday.
9. “Jingle Bells” Was Originally a Thanksgiving Song
Believe it or not, “Jingle Bells” wasn’t written as a Christmas song; it was originally meant for Thanksgiving. Composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1857, the song was originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh” and was intended for a Thanksgiving program at his church in Savannah, Georgia.
Over time, “Jingle Bells” became associated with Christmas, and now it’s one of the most popular holiday songs around the world. But if you’re looking for a quirky Thanksgiving fact, consider humming “Jingle Bells” after dinner to pay homage to its original holiday.
10. More Than 40 Million Turkeys Are Consumed on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the day of the turkey, with over 40 million turkeys consumed across the United States every year. That’s a staggering number considering there are just over 330 million people in the country, meaning roughly one turkey for every seven people.
This high demand drives turkey farms to ramp up production each fall, making it a significant industry. Turkeys are so synonymous with Thanksgiving that it’s hard to imagine the holiday without them, even as plant-based options gain popularity.
11. Green Bean Casserole Was Invented for Convenience
Green bean casserole, a staple on many Thanksgiving tables, was created by Dorcas Reilly in 1955 at the Campbell Soup Company. The goal was to create a simple, convenient recipe that included Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and frozen green beans, two items that almost everyone had in their pantry.
Little did Reilly know her recipe would become a Thanksgiving classic. To this day, green bean casserole continues to be a popular side dish, often topped with crispy fried onions for extra flavor.
12. “Turkey Trots” Make Thanksgiving the Biggest Running Day of the Year
The morning of Thanksgiving has become one of the most popular times for community races known as “Turkey Trots.” These races are often family-friendly events ranging from a quick 1K for kids to full marathons. Many cities host their own Turkey Trot to raise money for local charities, bringing runners together in festive gear and costumes.
For many, the Turkey Trot is a pre-feast tradition, providing a way to burn off calories in advance of a big meal. With hundreds of thousands of people lacing up their running shoes each year, Thanksgiving has become the biggest running day in the United States.
13. Thanksgiving Was Once Scheduled Twice in One Month
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced a dilemma. The Great Depression was in full swing, and retailers were anxious about the short shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To give shoppers more time, FDR moved Thanksgiving up by a week. But the decision wasn’t popular, and many states refused to follow the new date, creating two Thanksgiving days in November.
This confusion only lasted two years before Congress standardized Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains to this day. Now, we have a set date for Thanksgiving, but those two Thanksgivings in 1939 remain a quirky historical footnote.
13 Harsh Realities of the First Thanksgiving
This list isn’t meant to ruin your holiday spirit but to shed light on the complexities behind an event that’s become such a big part of American culture. It’s about pulling back the curtain and acknowledging that, just like any historical moment, Thanksgiving has layers we often forget, or simply don’t want, to talk about.
13 Harsh Realities of the First Thanksgiving
14 Top Thanksgiving Destinations
Thanksgiving has a unique way of sparking up different traditions, from huge family gatherings to cozy weekends away.
So, if you’re considering a getaway this year, here’s a lineup of 14 amazing Thanksgiving destinations. Each one offers something special to make your holiday more than just a meal, but a chance to create some unforgettable memories.
14 Top Thanksgiving Destinations
15 of the Best European Christmas Markets
If there’s one thing Europe does right, it’s Christmas. And nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like wandering through a festive Christmas market, browsing stalls packed with handcrafted ornaments and seasonal treats. There’s no denying the magic they bring during the holiday season.
15 of the Best European Christmas Markets
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
