What better way to impress your guests than with some fun Thanksgiving facts? Well, because every loyal I’m A Useless Info Junkie reader should be the “fact-telling” person on the table, here they are.
Eight fascinating facts about Thanksgiving.
8. No turkey on the menu at the first Thanksgiving
Historians say that no turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving! What was on the menu? Deer or venison, ducks, geese, oysters, lobster, eel and fish. They probably ate pumpkins, but no pumpkin pies. They also didn’t eat mashed potatoes or cranberry relish, but they probably ate cranberries. And no, Turduckens (a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken) were nowhere to be found during that first Thanksgiving. (the article continues after the ad)
7. No forks at the first Thanksgiving either
The first Thanksgiving was eaten with spoons and knives — but no forks! That’s right, forks weren’t even introduced to the Pilgrims until 10 years later and weren’t a popular utensil until the 18th century.
6. Thanksgiving is the reason for TV dinners
In 1953, Swanson had so much extra turkey (260 tons) that a salesman told them they should package it onto aluminum trays with other sides like sweet potatoes — and the first TV dinner was born!
5. Presidential pardon of a turkey
Each year, the president of the U.S pardons a turkey and spares it from being eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. The first turkey pardon ceremony started with President Truman in 1947. President Obama pardoned a 45-pound turkey named Courage, who has flown to Disneyland and served as Grand Marshal of the park’s Thanksgiving Day parade!
4. Why is Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November
President Abe Lincoln said Thanksgiving would be the last Thursday in November, but in 1939 President Roosevelt moved it up a week hoping it would help the shopping season during the Depression era. It never caught on and it was changed back two years later.
3. How did the tradition of watching football on Thanksgiving start
The NFL started the Thanksgiving Classic games in 1920 and since then the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have hosted games on Turkey Day. In 2006, a third game was added with different teams hosting.
2. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 with 400 employees marching from Convent Ave to 145th street in New York City. No large balloons were at this parade, as it featured only live animals from Central Park Zoo.
1. Turkey isn’t responsible for drowsiness or the dreaded “food coma”
So what is? Scientists say that extra glass of wine, the high-calorie meal or relaxing after a busy work schedule is what makes you drowsy!
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: Why Is Turkey Called A Turkey When It Has Nothing To Do With The Country?
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Sources: 20 THANKSGIVING FUN FACTS THAT WILL TOTALLY IMPRESS THE KIDS