Thanksgiving is one of the most cherished holidays in the United States, celebrated with family, food, and gratitude. But behind the turkey and pumpkin pie are some surprising tidbits you may not have heard before. Here are 10 Thanksgiving facts you probably didn’t know:
1. Thanksgiving Wasn’t Always in November
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was celebrated sometime between September and early November. It wasn’t until President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863 that Thanksgiving was officially set for the last Thursday in November.
2. The First Feast Lasted Three Days
The original 1621 Thanksgiving feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans wasn’t a one-day event. It spanned three days and included a variety of foods, some of which were likely seafood, venison, and corn.
3. Turkey May Not Have Been on the Menu
The first Thanksgiving likely didn’t include turkey. Historians believe the meal featured wild fowl such as ducks or geese, along with fish, venison, and local vegetables.
4. Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday Thanks to a Woman
Sarah Josepha Hale, author of Mary Had a Little Lamb, lobbied for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday for 17 years before Lincoln made it official in 1863.
5. The First Macy’s Parade Didn’t Have Balloons
The iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debuted in 1924 but didn’t feature the giant balloons we know today. Instead, live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo walked the route.
6. The Tradition of Pardoning Turkeys is Relatively New
While stories of turkey pardons date back to Lincoln’s time, the modern turkey pardon began with President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
7. Football Became Part of Thanksgiving in the 19th Century
Thanksgiving football games started as early as the 1870s, with college teams leading the way. The NFL adopted the tradition in 1934 with the first Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game.
8. TV Dinners Were Invented Because of Thanksgiving Leftovers
In 1953, Swanson overestimated its turkey production, leaving the company with 260 tons of extra turkey. The solution? Packaging the leftovers into what became the first TV dinners.
9. Thanksgiving Was Once a Controversial Holiday
In the 19th century, some Southern states resisted celebrating Thanksgiving, viewing it as a Northern holiday due to its association with Lincoln and the Civil War.
10. Black Friday Isn’t the Busiest Shopping Day of the Year
Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday isn’t the busiest shopping day. That title usually goes to the Saturday before Christmas, as last-minute shoppers hit the stores.
Thanksgiving is filled with rich history and fascinating trivia, making it much more than just a day for turkey and pie. Which fact surprised you the most? Let us know!
