Turkey Traditions at the White House

While the official turkey pardon was not adopted as an event until the late twentieth century, the custom of giving of a turkey (or two) to the First Family goes back to the late-nineteenth century. The 1920s saw an abundance of the birds sent to the Executive Mansion through the generosity of the American people. In the mid-twentieth century, the Poultry and Egg National Board and the National Turkey Federation started presenting turkeys to the White House. President John F. Kennedy pardoned a turkey meant for his table in 1963, as did some of his successors on occasion. Later during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the pardon became part of the turkey presentation ceremony in the Rose Garden. President George H.W. Bush made it an annual tradition by pardoning every turkey during his administration. All presidents since have continued the turkey pardon as a light-hearted press event in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.