2020 Thanksgiving Turkeys Gallantly Arrive in Washington D.C

In 1920, U.S. turkey growers produced one turkey for every 29 persons in the U.S. Today growers produce nearly one turkey for every person in the country.

The male turkey is called a tom. The female turkey is called a hen. The turkey was domesticated in Mexico and brought to Europe in the 16th century. The wild turkey is native to northern Mexico and the eastern United States.

In 2012, turkey was the # 4 protein choice for American consumers behind chicken, beef and pork. 88% of Americans surveyed by the National Turkey Federation eat turkey on Thanksgiving.

46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving, 22 million on Christmas and 19 million turkeys on Easter.

It became a tradition (since carried on by all of Bush’s successors) for the president to issue a “pardon” to the turkey, sparing the turkey’s life. It’s a tradition that the turkeys be picked from the chairperson of the NTF’s home state, occasionally from the chair’s own farm.

It was President Abraham Lincoln who proclaimed in 1863 that Thanksgiving would be held the last Thursday of November.

And for 2020 Thanksgiving the two turkeys have arrived Washington DC, with a nice reception.