45 Fascinating Thanksgiving Facts: History, Traditions, and Surprises
Entertain guests with surprising tidbits that reveal the feast’s unexpected history.
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45 Fun Thanksgiving Facts To Share Around the Table
Thanksgiving is more than a day for feasting on turkey and stuffing; it’s a national celebration brimming with history, traditions, delicious food, and even a few quirks. Whether you’re looking for trivia to entertain your guests or hoping to deepen your appreciation for the holiday, these 45 facts about Thanksgiving will surprise and delight. So grab a plate—and a piece of history!
1. The First Thanksgiving: A Three-Day Celebration
In the autumn of 1621, Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people gathered for a harvest feast lasting three days in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This event is widely recognized as the first Thanksgiving, celebrating not only the bounty of the harvest but also the alliance and survival of the Pilgrims, who had weathered a harsh first winter with vital help from the Native Americans.
2. Four U.S. Towns Are Named ‘Turkey’
- Turkey, Texas
- Turkey, Arizona
- Turkey, Louisiana
- Turkey, North Carolina
Each year, these towns celebrate their unique connection to America’s favorite Thanksgiving bird.
3. America Eats Millions of Turkeys Each Thanksgiving
An estimated 46 million turkeys are prepared every year in the United States for Thanksgiving dinner. That’s enough for every person in California and Texas combined to have their own!
4. Thanksgiving Day Football Tradition
- The Detroit Lions have played a Thanksgiving Day game nearly every year since 1934.
- The Dallas Cowboys have hosted their game almost uninterrupted since 1966.
Football has become as much a part of Thanksgiving as cranberry sauce. Before the NFL’s regular fixtures, college teams like Yale and Princeton started their Thanksgiving rivalry in the 19th century.
5. Abraham Lincoln Proclaimed Thanksgiving a National Holiday
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of ‘Thanksgiving and Praise,’ fixing the holiday as an annual November celebration amid the Civil War, seeking unity and healing for the nation.
6. What’s the Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner?
Feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving is no small task. The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people in the United States is $53.31, according to recent estimates—a price affected by food production, demand, and changing grocery store prices.
7. Modern Twist: Takeout Trends
Not everyone is keen to cook. About 13 percent of Americans now plan to order takeout or visit a restaurant for their Thanksgiving meal, reflecting America’s evolving dining habits.
8. Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday Tradition
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the U.S. every year on the fourth Thursday of November. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the current date in 1941 to lengthen the holiday shopping season, settling a heated national debate.
9. There Are Two Canadian Thanksgivings
Canada celebrates its own Thanksgiving, distinct from the U.S. version. The first Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578, when English explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks for safe passage. Modern Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
10. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Began in 1924
The iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City debuted in 1924. Famous for its massive balloons (added in 1927), marching bands, and celebrity appearances, it marks the unofficial start of the holiday season and draws millions of viewers every year—on site and on TV.
11. The First Thanksgiving Didn’t Feature Turkey as We Know It
Modern Thanksgiving dinners revolve around roast turkey, but historical accounts suggest the 1621 feast included venison, various wildfowl (possibly turkey), fish, corn, and vegetables—not pumpkin pie or stuffing as we know them today.
12. Sarah Josepha Hale: The ‘Mother of Thanksgiving’
Writer and magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale (famous for “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) spent 17 years writing letters to presidents and elected officials advocating for a national Thanksgiving holiday—her perseverance led Abe Lincoln to establish it in 1863.
13. Pumpkin Pie: A Dessert Newcomer
Pumpkin pies gracing today’s Thanksgiving tables would have been a mystery at the first celebration. Early settlers did not have the butter, wheat flour, or ovens necessary for pies, though pumpkins and squashes were available and likely used in other dishes.
14. Cranberry Sauce Wasn’t on the First Menu
Cranberries were native to the region, but cranberry sauce as we know it wasn’t invented until nearly 50 years later. Sugar—essential for turning tart berries into a sauce—was a rare luxury among early settlers.
15. Thanksgiving: A Symbol Beyond Food
Thanksgiving has come to symbolize not only gratitude and family, but also American opportunity, intercultural connection, and the importance of home.
16. Presidential Turkey Pardoning
Each year, the sitting U.S. President “pardons” at least one lucky turkey, sparing it from the dinner table. While turkey pardoning dates back to Abraham Lincoln, it became an official White House tradition during President George H.W. Bush’s term in 1989.
17. Black Friday: The Shopping Aftermath
The Friday following Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, marks the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. First used in Philadelphia in the 1950s, it refers to both the traffic chaos and the moment retailers go ‘in the black’—turning a profit.
18. Americans’ Favorite Thanksgiving Food
- Turkey remains the centerpiece for most households
- Stuffing or dressing follows close behind
- Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce make up the rest of the traditional spread
19. Regional Thanksgiving Dishes
Not all tables are the same. Some regions prefer cornbread dressing over bread stuffing, oyster stuffing in New England, macaroni and cheese in the South, or wild rice in the Midwest.
20. Turkey Cooking Techniques Vary Widely
- Roasting is traditional, but deep frying and smoking turkeys are increasingly popular
- Tofurkey and vegetarian entrees are on the rise for those who don’t eat meat
- Creative leftovers like turkey sandwiches and turkey soup are cherished after the meal
21. How Many Pounds of Sweet Potatoes?
An astonishing 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes are consumed each Thanksgiving, usually baked, candied, or as a fluffy casserole topped with marshmallows.
22. Table Etiquette: Setting For the Feast
Thanksgiving dinner is sometimes the year’s grandest meal, bringing out formal place settings, family silverware, cloth napkins, and the best dishes as everyone gathers around the table to give thanks.
23. Gratitude Goes Global
Many cultures have harvest festivals, from Korean Chuseok to Germany’s Erntedankfest and Japan’s Kinrō Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day), but America’s Thanksgiving is uniquely synonymous with its history, meal, and traditions.
24. Major Cities Host Parades
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
- America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit
- Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (America’s oldest, established 1920)
These dazzling processions feature massive floats, community groups, music, and a visit from Santa Claus, heralding the arrival of Christmas season.
25. The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Is an Annual Lifesaver
In operation since 1981, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line fields tens of thousands of calls from frantic cooks in the days surrounding Thanksgiving, answering every conceivable turkey question.
26. Thanksgiving Dinner’s Leftover Magic
Leftovers are legendary. Classic recipes like the turkey sandwich, pot pie, or soup mean that Thanksgiving flavors linger for days—sometimes longer than the meal itself.
27. Thanksgiving Traditions Keep Evolving
- “Friendsgiving”—a gathering of friends sharing the Thanksgiving meal—has grown in popularity among young adults and those living far from family.
- Potlucks are replacing single-cook meals in many homes, spreading the work and expanding the menu.
28. An American Holiday with Many Faces
For some Indigenous peoples, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning and reflection, honoring the ancestors and cultural traditions affected by colonization. The holiday sparks both celebration and conversation about American history and inclusion.
29. How Much Do Americans Eat on Thanksgiving?
The average holiday meal clocks in at about 3,000–4,500 calories per feast, thanks to hearty helpings and irresistible desserts.
30. Thanksgiving Wasn’t Always in November
Before Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation, Thanksgiving observances varied by region, both in date and form. Some states commemorated the day in October or earlier in the fall, with no standardized nationwide date.
31. Fun With the Wishbone
The turkey wishbone tradition—breaking it for good luck—dates back to Ancient Rome and became a Thanksgiving staple in America.
32. More Than Just Turkey: Other Meats Served
- Duck, goose, venison, and even lobster have been recorded on early Thanksgiving menus
- Today, vegetarian main dishes like lasagna or casseroles increasingly share the spotlight
33. Traveling for Turkey
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year in the U.S., with millions journeying to celebrate with family, causing crowded airports, highways, and train stations.
34. Turkey Trot Races Across America
Thanksgiving morning running events—known as “Turkey Trots”—take place in cities countrywide, raising funds for charity and encouraging participants to “earn their feast.”
35. TV and Movie Thanksgiving Marathons
Classic Thanksgiving-themed television specials and popular films like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” and marathons of favorite shows have become a post-meal staple.
36. Volunteering and Community Meals
For many Americans, the holiday is a day to give back by helping at food banks, shelters, or organizing community dinners for those in need.
37. Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks
Above all, the holiday’s spirit remains rooted in gratitude—for family, friends, food, and the moments that make the year special.
38. The National Dog Show: A Modern Tradition
Since 2002, the National Dog Show airs after the Macy’s Parade, drawing more than 20 million viewers annually and making it a part of Thanksgiving family ritual.
39. Frozen Turkeys: Popular and Practical
Americans buy more frozen turkeys than fresh for Thanksgiving, with purchases beginning as early as late October and peaking in mid-November.
40. Stuffing vs. Dressing: What’s the Difference?
- Stuffing is cooked inside the bird
- Dressing is cooked separately, often in a casserole dish
- Preferences tend to be regional, with the South favoring “dressing”
41. Thanksgiving Television Firsts
The first televised Thanksgiving Day Parade aired in 1948, bringing the Macy’s spectacle into living rooms across America. The Detroit Lions hosted the first televised Thanksgiving Day football game the same year.
42. Americans Drink Billions of Bottles of Wine
Thanksgiving ranks as one of the top wine-drinking holidays, with an estimated 64 million bottles uncorked to pair with turkey, sides, and dessert.
43. Green Bean Casserole: An Accidental Classic
This dish was invented in 1955 by the Campbell Soup Company, but it’s now a must-have side on millions of Thanksgiving tables.
44. Apple Pie: America’s Top Dessert
While pumpkin pie is closely associated with the holiday, apple pie is still the most popular dessert overall among Americans during Thanksgiving celebrations.
45. Thanksgiving Has Inspired Countless Songs and Stories
From Lydia Maria Child’s “Over the River and Through the Wood” to modern holiday sitcom specials, Thanksgiving continues to inspire writers, artists, and storytellers of every generation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving
Q: Was turkey really served at the first Thanksgiving?
A: Wildfowl was mentioned in the 1621 accounts, which potentially included turkey, but venison and other meats were more prominent on the menu.
Q: Why does the President pardon a turkey each year?
A: The tradition dates to Lincoln’s era but became formalized in 1989 as a symbolic gesture of compassion and lightheartedness during the holiday.
Q: How did Thanksgiving football games become a tradition?
A: The Detroit Lions popularized the Thanksgiving football game tradition in 1934; today, several NFL matchups are a holiday staple, watched by millions.
Q: Are there Thanksgiving celebrations outside of the U.S.?
A: Yes. Canada, Liberia, and several Caribbean islands have their own Thanksgiving-style harvest festivals, each with unique customs and history.
Q: What is the most popular Thanksgiving pie?
A: Pumpkin pie remains the symbolic favorite, but apple pie is actually the most widely consumed dessert on Thanksgiving Day.
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