Thanksgiving is a holiday that is filled with traditions, from the turkey on the table to the football on TV. But beyond the familiar customs, there’s a rich and sometimes surprising history full of fascinating details. How much do you really know about this beloved American holiday?
1. The First Thanksgiving Lasted For Three Days.
The famous 1621 feast between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people wasn't just a single-day affair. Historical accounts suggest it was a three-day festival of harvesting, feasting, and entertainment. The gathering celebrated the Pilgrims' first successful corn harvest in the New World, a milestone made possible with the help of their Native American neighbors.
2. Turkey Probably Wasn't On The Menu At The First Thanksgiving.
While turkey is the centerpiece of most modern Thanksgiving tables, historical records indicate that the 1621 feast likely featured other meats. Venison was the star, as the Wampanoag brought five deer to the celebration. Other potential dishes included duck, goose, swan, and seafood like lobster, clams, and mussels.
3. Americans Eat Around 46 Million Turkeys Each Thanksgiving.
Despite its likely absence at the first feast, turkey has become the undisputed main course. The National Turkey Federation estimates that Americans prepare about 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving each year. That's a lot of birds!
4. Canned Cranberry Sauce Was Invented In 1912.
Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America, and they were likely part of the 1621 meal. However, the jiggly, canned version we know today didn't appear until 1912. Lawyer and cranberry grower Marcus L. Urann came up with the idea of canning cranberries to create a year-round market for his crop. It became a Thanksgiving staple after its mass-market debut in the 1940s.
5. Pumpkin Pie Is A Relatively New Tradition.
Pumpkins are native to North America, but the Pilgrims didn't have the ovens or ingredients (like butter and flour) to make pie crust. Their version of "pumpkin pie" was likely a hollowed-out pumpkin filled with milk, honey, and spices, which was then roasted in hot ashes. The classic dessert we enjoy today didn't become a Thanksgiving staple until the early 19th century.
6. The Presidential Turkey Pardon Became A Formal Tradition In 1989.
The tradition of a president sparing a turkey from the Thanksgiving table has murky origins. Some stories trace it back to Abraham Lincoln, but the first president to formally "pardon" a turkey was George H. W. Bush in 1989. Since then, it has become an annual White House tradition.
7. The NFL Has Played Games On Thanksgiving Since 1934.
Watching football on Thanksgiving became a tradition in 1934 when the Detroit Lions hosted the Chicago Bears. The owner of the Lions scheduled the game on the holiday to attract more fans. The marketing stunt was a huge success, and the Lions have played on Thanksgiving every year since (except during World War II).
8. "Jingle Bells" Was Originally A Thanksgiving Song.
The song we all associate with Christmas was originally written for Thanksgiving. Composed in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont, its title was "One Horse Open Sleigh," and it was meant to be sung during Thanksgiving services to celebrate the popular sleigh races of the time.
9. The "Wishbone Tradition" Is An Ancient Practice.
The custom of two people pulling on a turkey's wishbone to see who gets the larger piece (and their wish granted) dates back thousands of years to the ancient Etruscans. They believed birds were oracles and that their clavicles held sacred powers. The Romans adopted the practice, and it eventually made its way to England and then to America with the Pilgrims.
10. The Day After Thanksgiving Is The Busiest Day For Plumbers.
You might think Black Friday is just for shopping, but for plumbers, it's known as "Brown Friday." Roto-Rooter, a major plumbing service, reports that this is their busiest day of the year, as the influx of houseguests and greasy leftovers clogs kitchen sinks and garbage disposals across the country.
