Podcast St. John’s, the Church of the Presidents
Since the James Madison presidency, St. John’s Church has been an important part of the life of Lafayette Square an...
Have you ever wondered...
Which president started the tradition of pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey?
Although Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, along with First Ladies Thelma “Pat” Nixon and Rosalynn Carter, pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys, the modern turkey pardon did not become an annual tradition until the George H.W. Bush administration.
In 1989, President Bush quipped: “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.” It has been an annual tradition ever since.
Click here to learn more about the presidential turkey pardon.
Featured Questions
We've Also Been Asked...
-
Has every president worked in the Oval Office?
-
How did the White House get its name?
-
What is the Resolute Desk?
-
Who saved the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington from the White House before it was burned in 1814?
-
Has the White House ever been renovated or changed?
You Might Also Like
-
-
Collection The Presidents
Biographies & Portraits
-
Collection All Hallows' Eve Haunts & Traditions
Today, the celebration of Halloween conjures images of costumed trick-or-treaters, sweets, and jack-o'-lanterns; but there was a time when All...
-
Collection Giving Thanks at the White House
Thanksgiving is a relatively quiet and personal holiday at the White House, as it precedes a very busy season of...
-
Podcast America’s Pastime and the Presidency
Baseball has been known as our national pastime and has links to the presidency as far back as the Abraham...
-
Collection The 2018 White House Christmas Ornament
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
-
Collection Presidential Inaugurations
In April 1789, George Washington took the oath of office in New York City. Constitutional guidelines for inaugurations are sparse, offering...
-
Podcast Our Work and Recent Events: A Q&A with David M. Rubenstein
In this special episode of The 1600 Sessions, financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein interviews White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin...
-
Collection Truman White House 1945 - 1953
President Harry S. Truman was close to his friends and associates, had a grin for strangers, but could be less...
-
The First Ladies Symposium Contributors
Jill BidenJill Tracy Jacobs Biden was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. Growing up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, she...
-
About Our Authors
AuthorsJAMES ARCHER ABBOTT is a graduate of Vassar College (B.A.) and the State University of New York’s Museum St...
-
Presidential Sites Summit Session Information
Tuesday, March 15Offsite Event: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey PlazaRegistration at the Adolphus HotelOffsite Event: Opening ceremony, reception, and...
