Overview
- The only firsthand account of the 1621 Plymouth feast is Edward Winslow’s letter, which notes venison and unspecified “fowle” but leaves the exact menu unclear.
- Sarah Josepha Hale and Godey’s Lady’s Book promoted a national celebration featuring roast turkey, a vision later reinforced when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the holiday in 1863 and Congress set the date in 1941.
- Turkey fit the role of centerpiece because it feeds large groups and was cheaper to produce than beef or pork, with cultural cues from the 1800s helping cement the choice.
- Modern traditions include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade launched in 1924, college and NFL games with the Lions playing on the holiday since 1934, and an annual White House turkey pardon formalized in 1989.
- USDA data show more than 205 million turkeys were raised on about 2,500 U.S. farms in 2024, reflecting the holiday’s scale as families also maintain their own heirloom rituals and dishes.