Why Do Presidents Pardon Turkeys?

The video explores the tradition of turkey pardoning in the United States, tracing its origins back to President Lincoln's era when his son Tad saved a turkey from becoming a Christmas meal. The tradition evolved over the years, with various presidents contributing to its development. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush made the turkey pardoning an official event, ensuring that the pardoned turkey would not end up on a dinner table. The video highlights the cultural and historical significance of this tradition, which continues to be a part of Thanksgiving celebrations.

What is the main purpose of the annual turkey presentation at the White House?

• To select the tastiest turkey for the President's dinner

• To grant clemency to a turkey as a symbolic gesture

• To promote turkey farming in the United States

• To showcase the best turkeys from each state

Who is believed to have initiated the tradition of sparing a turkey's life during the holiday season?

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt

• President Thomas Jefferson

• President Abraham Lincoln's son, Tad

• President George Washington

What was the reaction of the poultry industry to President Truman's suggestion of a poultry-less Thursday?

• They supported the idea wholeheartedly

• They were indifferent to the suggestion

• They were outraged by the suggestion

• They proposed an alternative solution

Which president is credited with making the turkey pardon tradition official?

• President John F. Kennedy

• President Harry Truman

• President Richard Nixon

• President George HW Bush

During which president's administration did sending the pardoned turkey to a farm become a common practice?

• President Richard Nixon

• President Ronald Reagan

• President John F. Kennedy

• President Jimmy Carter