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Thanksgiving Turkey Traditions at the White House

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hwbushturkey

George H.W. Bush


The turkey "will not end up on anyone's dinner table, not this guy. He's granted a presidential pardon as of right now," said George H.W. Bush whose announcement in 1989 inaugurated the first official Thanksgiving presidential turkey pardon. In 1990, the practice of sending the "pardoned" bird to Frying Pan Park in Fairfax County, Virginia began.

Turkey fact: The domesticated turkeys that are brought to Washington, D.C. for the ceremony spend the night before the pardon in the Hotel Washington, where they feast on a scrumptious meal of corn and soybean.

Photo: whtehouse.gov

Next: Bill Clinton

More on: Thanksgiving

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