Thanksgiving might be all about the turkey and pie now, but this holiday has some surprising twists in its history—like Christmas carols meant for Thanksgiving, and a turkey pardon born from a White House joke. Get ready to discover the quirks that make this holiday uniquely American!

The Bird Almost Didn’t Make it on the Menu

Believe it or not, turkey wasn’t the first choice for Thanksgiving. Early feasts likely featured venison, seafood, and other local fare. Turkeys made it onto tables over time as they became more affordable and accessible for families.

The TV Dinner’s Surprising Thanksgiving Origin 

The iconic TV dinner was born in 1953 when Swanson overestimated Thanksgiving turkey demand by 260 tons. To clear out the extra turkeys, they created pre-cooked meals—thus the frozen dinner was born, forever changing American convenience eating.

Thanksgiving Wasn’t an Annual Celebration Until Lincoln 

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, thanks to a 17-year campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale, who also wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb." She envisioned Thanksgiving as a unifying celebration for the country.

"Jingle Bells" Was Originally a Thanksgiving Tune
Believe it or not, the famous Christmas song “Jingle Bells” was actually intended for Thanksgiving! Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857, the song was called “One Horse Open Sleigh” and was composed for a Thanksgiving church service. Its catchy tune was so popular, it quickly became associated with Christmas instead, evolving into the holiday classic we know today.

The Macy’s Parade Once Floated Real Animals 

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, but early parades featured live zoo animals—think lions and camels! It wasn’t until the 1930s that the famous giant balloons, like Snoopy, replaced real animals.

Turkey Pardons Began as an Inside Joke 

Though today the “presidential turkey pardon” is a much-loved tradition, it didn’t start officially until 1989 with President George H.W. Bush. Before that, presidents would sometimes spare turkeys gifted to the White House, but the tradition wasn’t formalized.

Minnesota: The Turkey Capital 

The U.S. produces over 200 million turkeys a year, with Minnesota taking the lead as the top turkey-producing state. That's one bird for nearly every person in the country!

Turkey Isn’t the Real Cause of Post-Dinner Naps 

While turkey contains tryptophan, the real culprit behind Thanksgiving drowsiness is the massive meal. All the carbohydrates from stuffing, potatoes, and pie make for one sleepy afternoon!

Thanksgiving Has Its Own Football Tradition 

The Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game since 1934, but they weren’t the first! College football teams began playing on Thanksgiving in the late 19th century, establishing a day of sports and celebration.

Thanksgiving’s Leftover Tradition Started Early 

Leftovers are practically their own holiday tradition! Pilgrims didn’t waste any part of the feast, and the idea of making turkey sandwiches or even “Thanksgiving lasagna” has deep roots in using up every last bite.

‘Franksgiving’ - A Thanksgiving That Almost Divided the Nation 

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to extend the holiday shopping season, sparking protests and the tongue-in-cheek name “Franksgiving.” The public outcry led to a compromise, and Thanksgiving was officially set as the fourth Thursday in November in 1941.