What Does Pardon a Turkey Mean? The History and Significance of the Presidential Turkey Pardon

The presidential turkey pardon is a lighthearted tradition that occurs each year at the White House around Thanksgiving But what does it actually mean when the president “pardons” a turkey? Here’s an overview of this unique White House custom,

A Brief History

The tradition of sending turkeys to the White House dates back to the 1870s, when Rhode Island poultry dealer Horace Vose began gifting fat turkeys to presidents. However, the birds were originally meant to be eaten, not pardoned.

Some stories claim Abraham Lincoln informally spared a turkey brought for the family’s Christmas dinner in 1863. But the first documented turkey pardon occurred in 1947 under President Harry Truman. The National Turkey Federation began formally presenting turkeys around this time, though presidents did not consistently spare them.

President John F Kennedy was the first to let a Thanksgiving turkey live, stating in 1963 that he would “let this one grow” The word “pardon” was first used by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, though no formal ceremony existed yet.

President George H.W. Bush established the annual turkey pardoning tradition in 1989. With activists protesting nearby, he announced, “Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table.” Since then, the pardon has become an annual media event at the White House.

What Does It Mean to Pardon a Turkey?

When the president pardons a turkey, he spares it from being slaughtered and eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. The live turkey is brought to the White House a few days before the holiday. At the pardoning event, the president makes a lighthearted speech about the bird, then officially pardons it from becoming a meal.

Pardoning began as a way for presidents to promote American agriculture by spotlighting the National Thanksgiving Turkey presented by the National Turkey Federation. Over time, it has become a chance for presidents to inject some fun into the holiday season and show a humorous side before gathering with family for Thanksgiving.

The presidential pardon is mostly ceremonial. U.S. presidents can only constitutionally pardon people, not animals. But the turkey pardon pokes fun at the president’s solemn authority to issue acts of clemency. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the presidential pardon spares a turkey from potential harm.

Where Do the Pardoned Turkeys Go?

Today, most pardoned turkeys go to farms or zoos to live out their natural lives after their White House appearances. Recent turkeys have gone to Virginia Tech’s “Gobblers Rest” exhibit in Blacksburg, Virginia and Iowa State University’s Animal Learning Center.

Their new homes provide plenty of open space and care. The pardoned turkeys occasionally return to the White House for the annual pardoning ceremony the following year. Though no longer under threat of being eaten, most pardoned turkeys only live another year or two due to their bred size.

The Significance of the Tradition

The presidential turkey pardon has become an important White House tradition that captures public attention. For Americans, it functions as an informal start to the Thanksgiving holiday and the year-end festive season. The light, humorous ceremony reminds people of the reason for Thanksgiving—expressing gratitude—before feasting with family.

While silly on the surface, the turkey pardon also promotes deeper values like compassion and clemency. Presidents get to show their lighthearted side, pointing to the civic calm of pardoning one turkey amidst the burden of pardoning people. The annual event illustrates the diverse duties of the presidency while bringing smiles before Thanksgiving meals across the nation.

So in short, when a president pardons a turkey, he spares its life in a time-honored White House tradition celebrating thankfulness, mercy, and American agriculture. The pardoned turkey lives out its days in comfort as Americans gather together to count their blessings.