Why does America celebrate Thanksgiving and when was the first Thanksgiving? Was turkey always on the menu? Here are some of the facts about the history of the holiday to help get you in the Thanksgiving spirit!

The First Thanksgiving

Tradition has it that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 and lasted for 3 days when English Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts shared a meal with their Native American neighbors.

Was It Always Turkey?

Contrary to popular belief, turkey wasn’t on the menu at the first Thanksgiving. Venison was most likely served, alongside pumpkins and cranberries (but not pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce!).

President’s Pardoning Turkeys

The history of U.S. presidents pardoning turkeys is patchy. Per tradition, each Thanksgiving, the president of the United States ‘pardons’ a hand-selected turkey, sending it to a farm where it lives out the rest of its days. There are a few different versions, but our favorite story dates all the way back to Abe Lincoln letting the turkey meant for their dinner table go after his son argued it had as much a right to live as anyone!

The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is now nationally televised each year, has been a production since 1924. That year, the department store’s president, Herbert Strauss, organized a six-mile procession from Harlem to the Macy’s store in Herald Square. The parade featured animals from the Central Park Zoo and was nearly three times as long as it is today! For the purposes of television filming, the route was later reduced to 2.5 miles.

Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions are, we want to thank you for being our valued customers. We are forever grateful for your support. May this Thanksgiving bring new opportunities and better days for you and your loved ones! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!