In honor of the annual turkey day feast, we thought we’d share some fun facts about Thanksgiving. Use these facts to amaze your family at the dinner table with your command of Thanksgiving trivia.
Mary Had a Little Turkey?
President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 due to the insistence of songwriter Sarah Joespha Hale. Hale, who had been waging a 17 year campaign to make Thanksgiving a holiday, is better known as the writer of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
No Sporks Either?
When the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, they had spoons and knives… but no forks! Forks wouldn’t be introduced until 10 years later, and wouldn’t come into common use until the 1700’s.
That Was Fast!
The early settlers originally intended to give thanks by praying and abstaining from food. Luckily for us, the Wampanoag Indians that joined them convinced them to turn their fast into a three day feast!
Call The Plumber
According to Roto-Rooter, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for plumbers. The reason? Clogged sinks and garbage disposals from the prior day’s festivities.
What’s In a Name?
A turkey less than 12 weeks old is called a “fryer-roaster.” Poor bird never had a chance.
Pass the Eel
The first Thanksgiving actually did not feature turkey – the menu of the day was venison, duck, geese, lobster, fish, and eel.
No Underdog Balloon Here
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924. It was a march of their 400 employees and wild animals from the New York City Zoo.
Blame the Etruscans
Ever wonder where the wishbone tradition comes from? It dates back to the Etruscans, in 322 B.C. The Romans adopted the tradition, and brought it with them when they conquered England. The English brought it with them to the New World, and continues to this day.
Pigskin and Turkey
The first college football game played on Thanksgiving was in 1876, between Yale and Princeton. For decades, college football and Thanksgiving went together like turkey and stuffing, but now it’s only pro football that’s played on Thanksgiving. This year, no college football games will be played Thursday – most rivalries that used to be played on Thanksgiving have moved to the Friday or Saturday after.
Enjoy these fun facts, and have a great Thanksgiving!