This tradition has been going on since 1947.
US President Joe Biden has traditionally pardoned turkeys that might have ended up on someone's Thanksgiving table. It is noteworthy that this happened on November 20, his 81st birthday.
The Associated Press writes about this.
The head of the National Turkey Federation and president of the Jennie-O Turkey Store said it was a great way to kick off the holiday season.
In the afternoon, Biden's wife, first lady Jill Biden, accepted an 18.5-foot Fraser fir from Fleetwood, North Carolina, as the official White House Christmas tree.
The male turkeys, about 20 weeks old and weighing about 42 pounds, were bred in July in Willmar, Minnesota—where Jennie-O is headquartered—as part of a “presidential flock.” They listened to music and other sounds to prepare for the noise on Monday at the White House.
Where does the tradition come from?
The tradition dates back to 1947, when the National Turkey Federation, which represents turkey farmers and producers, first presented the nation's Thanksgiving turkey to President Harry Truman.
But in the late 1980s, the tradition evolved into an often humorous ceremony in which the birds are forgiven, given a second chance at life after being spared from ending up on the family Thanksgiving table.
In 1989, as animal rights activists picketed nearby, President George H.W. Bush said, “But let me assure you and that wonderful turkey Tom, he won't end up on anyone's dinner table, not this guy's – he got a presidential pardon right now – and let him live out the rest of his days on a children's farm not far from here.” .
Let us remind you that the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, on Thursday, November 16, signed a bill on temporary government funding. This will prevent a shutdown, but the package does not include additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
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