It seems as though the Presidential Turkey Pardon ceremony has existed since the Pilgrims because it has become such a well-known tradition. But, the event didn't become official until 1989.
It's one of the more entertaining tasks presidents have performed for decades and may be the most unusual custom. But how did the custom of pardoning Turkey begin? And the first turkey was pardoned by which president?
As far back as the 1870s, birds have been sent to the White House as gifts during the holidays, according to historical records. They have been offered symbols of patriotism and good cheer, according to the White House.
President Abraham Lincoln may have spared the first turkey from becoming a Christmas dinner in 1863, according to a dispatch in 1865 by White House reporter Noah Brooks. As the story goes, Lincoln's son Tad lobbied to save a turkey the Lincolns planned to serve for dinner. The account, however, may be akin to George Washington and the cherry tree, according to the White House Historical Association.
President Harry S. Truman has been frequently credited as being the first to pardon turkeys, but the events appear as if they were just staged photos with gifted turkeys from the National Turkey Federation in 1947, but records indicate he didn't pardon the turkeys; instead, they were destined for the dinner table.
