Annual Presidential Turkey Pardon Tradition Detailed

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Annual Presidential Turkey Pardon Tradition

Each year, the President of the United States participates in a ceremony to "pardon" two turkeys. This event is a widely recognized American tradition.

2023 Ceremony Participants

This year, the turkeys designated for the ceremony are named Gobble and Waddle. Following the event at the White House, both birds will be transported to North Carolina State University. This institution also hosted the 2022 pardoned turkeys, "Chocolate" and "Chip."

Historical Background

The practice of sending turkeys to the President dates back to the late 19th century. Initially, these birds were intended for presidential consumption. An example from 1940 includes a college student from Texas A&M who traveled 2,000 miles to deliver a turkey to the President, which subsequently became an item of public interest.

National Turkey Federation's Involvement

The National Turkey Federation began its tradition of presenting a turkey to the President in 1947. This initiative started in response to President Harry S. Truman's "Poultryless Thursdays" conservation effort, which aimed to save grain in the post-war period. The poultry industry protested these measures, leading to the federation's presentation of a 47-pound turkey to Truman. Currently, the federation funds the turkeys' accommodation and their involvement in the pre-ceremony events.

Evolution of the Presidential Pardon

The concept of a "pardon" for the presidential turkey evolved over several decades:

  • 1963: President John F. Kennedy opted not to consume a presented turkey, stating, "We'll just let this one grow." A newspaper, the L.A. Times, subsequently headlined the event as a "presidential pardon."
  • 1987: President Ronald Reagan was the first to explicitly use the term "pardon" in relation to a turkey. This occurred during a press event where he humorously used the turkey's status to deflect a question regarding the Iran-Contra scandal.
  • 1989: President George H.W. Bush formalized the modern tradition. He declared that the presented turkey would receive a "presidential pardon" and would "live out its days on a children's farm," ensuring it would not be part of any dinner table.