This photograph of President Joseph R. Bidens grandson was taken by Matthew DAgostino during the 2022 turkey pardon ceremony on November 21, 2022 on the South Lawn of the White House. Beau Biden, Jr. is pictured observing the ceremony from the Truman Balcony. During the ceremony, President Biden formally pardoned the official National Thanksgiving Turkey, Chocolate, and the alternate, Chip. Chocolate and Chip were raised by National Turkey Federation (NTF) chairman Ronnie Parker at Circle S Ranch near Monroe, North Carolina. After the ceremony, the turkeys were transferred to the Talley Turkey Education Unit at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays since the 1870s. The origin of the turkey pardon, however, dates to 1863when President Abraham Lincoln offered clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the George H. W. Bush administration.
Photographer
Matthew D'Agostino
Date of Work
November 21, 2022
Type
Photograph
Credit
Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association
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