In 1989, President Bush quipped: “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.” It has been an annual tradition ever since.
Every year around Thanksgiving, Americans are treated to the fun tradition of the presidential turkey pardon. The president selects one lucky bird to be spared from becoming the main course of a holiday feast. While most associate the turkey pardon with modern presidents, the tradition has origins tracing back over 150 years. One popular legend credits Abraham Lincoln with granting the first presidential turkey pardon in 1863. But is this story fact or fiction? Let’s take a closer look at the history behind the presidential turkey pardon to find out if Lincoln really did let a turkey fly free.
The Legend of Lincoln’s Turkey Pardon
According to legend, it all started in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln’s son Tad became attached to the turkey sent to the White House for the family’s Christmas meal. Tad named the bird Jack and taught it to follow him around the grounds. When Lincoln informed Tad that Jack was destined for the dinner table Tad pleaded for mercy. Lincoln gave in and wrote a presidential pardon sparing Jack’s life.
This tale has been widely circulated and published in sources like the History Channel. It makes for a heartwarming story and connection to one of America’s most admired presidents. However, the Lincoln Library and Museum has been unable to find any primary sources definitively documenting Lincoln pardoning a turkey. The story remains unverified and is likely just a myth.
Early Turkey Gifts to the White House
While Lincoln’s pardon is questionable, we do know that sending turkeys to the White House dates back to the 1870s. Starting with President Ulysses S. Grant, Rhode Island poultry dealer Horace Vose began sending an annual turkey to the White House. Some presidents chose to eat these gift birds for their Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
But it was not an official pardon. The presidents were under no obligation to spare Vose’s turkeys. In fact, there is photographic evidence of President Dwight Eisenhower carving up and eating one of Vose’s donated turkeys! This tradition of turkey giving would continue for decades, but with no guarantees of a pardon.
Modern Origins of the Turkey Pardon
Most sources agree that the modern turkey pardon tradition began in 1987 under President Ronald Reagan. That year Reagan made light of the Iran-Contra scandal by joking he would pardon the White House turkey if he could. He gave the turkey a mock pardon to avoid the fate of becoming someone’s dinner.
President George H.W. Bush formalized the turkey pardon tradition in 1989. He announced that year’s bird would be granted an official presidential pardon. Every president since then has carried on this White House tradition.
While President Harry Truman was the first to receive a turkey from the National Turkey Federation, he did not pardon the bird. The Truman Library disputes any claims that Truman started the turkey pardon tradition. However, the White House photo op of Truman accepting the turkey may have sparked the modern association between turkeys and presidential pardons.
Lincoln’s Compassion for Animals
Though Lincoln’s turkey pardon remains unverified, it is certainly plausible. Lincoln was known as an animal lover and often pardoned animals raised for slaughter. His son Tad also had free rein of the White House and his doting father likely could not deny him a pet. Though we may never know if Lincoln actually pardoned a turkey, it is a fitting legend for a president known for his compassion.
The presidential turkey pardon has now become a beloved American tradition, even if its exact origins are murky. Lincoln very well may have granted the first reprieve 150 years ago. But whether factual or fictional, Lincoln’s compassion and mercy remain at the heart of this holiday story. At its core, the presidential turkey pardon represents values like care, generosity, and humanity–all things Lincoln stood for.
So this Thanksgiving when you see the president issue a mock pardon, remember Lincoln. His timeless legacy lives on in this fun and festive White House tradition. In the spirit of Lincoln, may your holiday be filled with kindness and joy.
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Have you ever wondered…
In 1989, President Bush quipped: “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.” It has been an annual tradition ever since.
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The History of the Presidential Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
FAQ
Who was the first president to pardon a turkey?
Does the president actually pardon a turkey?
Who pardons the turkey from being eaten?
Which US president kept a turkey as a pet?
Did president Lincoln pardon a Turkey?
Since then, the turkey pardon became a regular White House tradition. The WHHA also notes that while a tale has circulated about President Lincoln sparing the first Thanksgiving turkey back in 1863, this is likely a myth. What happens to the pardoned turkeys?
Was Abraham Lincoln the first to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey?
Even with the record having been set straight — year after year now in your authors columns — former President Trump erred in 2019 as to its origins as well. “It is said Abraham Lincoln was the first to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey,” he said. Not quite. Lincoln did spare a turkey, but it was for Christmas not Thanksgiving.
When did President Truman pardon a Turkey?
It’s believed that the Thanksgiving tradition of the President pardoning a turkey dates back to 1947, when President Harry Truman, standing outside the White House, was presented with a holiday bird by the National Turkey Federation.
Did president Bush pardon a Turkey?
Bush pardoned a turkey in each remaining year of his presidency, as has every president since. However, the earliest known sparing of a holiday bird can be traced to 1863, when Abraham Lincoln was presented with a Christmas turkey destined for the dinner table and his young, precocious son Tad intervened.