10 Fun Facts About Thanksgiving That Every Student Should Know

Thanksgiving is more than a day filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. It’s a holiday rooted in history, generosity, and gratitude. Whether you’re a student studying America’s traditions or just curious about this festive day, we’ve got some fascinating Thanksgiving fun facts to share with you.

This year, prepare to impress your family and friends with your Thanksgiving knowledge!

1. The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t Called Thanksgiving

Did you know that the first Thanksgiving wasn’t actually “Thanksgiving”? It was a three-day harvest celebration held in November 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts. While the event didn’t resemble the modern holiday, it marked a unity, gratitude, and survival feast. There were no pumpkin pies or cranberry sauce, but there was a lot of seafood, venison, and local produce!

2. Abraham Lincoln Made Thanksgiving a National Holiday

Thanksgiving wasn’t always an official holiday in the US. It took nearly two centuries after the original feast for Abraham Lincoln to declare it a national holiday in 1863. He announced during the Civil War, hoping to promote unity and gratitude amidst national strife.

3. Why the Turkey?

Ever wondered why turkey is the centrepiece of the Thanksgiving meal? In the 19th century, turkeys were considered a practical choice for large gatherings. They were widely available, affordable, and large enough to feed a family. However, there’s no evidence that turkey was part of the first Thanksgiving feast—it became a tradition many years later!

4. Benjamin Franklin Loved Turkeys

Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as America’s national bird. He admired the turkey for its resourcefulness and moral character. While the turkey didn’t win that honour, it still holds a place of pride every Thanksgiving!

5. The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Featured Live Animals

Today’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is famous for its giant balloons, floats, and marching bands. But the first Macy’s parade in 1924 featured a different kind of entertainment—live animals from the Central Park Zoo! The iconic balloons didn’t make an appearance until 1927.

6. A Pardon for the Lucky Turkey

Every year since 1989, the President of the United States has “pardoned” a turkey, sparing it from the dinner table. The tradition started when President George H.W. Bush officially pardoned a turkey, granting it a much longer life. Fun fact—these turkeys usually retire to animal sanctuaries or farms after their big moment in the spotlight!

7. Black Friday Got Its Name from Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. The name originated in Philadelphia during the 1960s when heavy traffic from Thanksgiving parades and shoppers caused chaos for police officers. Over time, Black Friday has become synonymous with massive sales and shopping sprees.

8. Americans Eat 46 Million Turkeys on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and turkey go hand-in-hand, and Americans eat an estimated 46 million turkeys every year on this day! To put it in perspective, that’s about one turkey for every six people in the country.

9. The First Thanksgiving Football Game

Football on Thanksgiving is a time-honoured tradition, but did you know the first Thanksgiving football game was played in 1876? Yale took on Princeton in a heated college football rivalry. Today, many families tune in to NFL games as part of their holiday celebrations.

10. Thanksgiving Has an International Cousin

While Thanksgiving is uniquely American, other countries have harvest festivals celebrating gratitude. For example, Canada has its own Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday of October. Countries like Germany and Japan also hold similar harvest festivals to honour the season’s bounty.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts for Food Lovers

Thanksgiving is all about the food, and there are plenty of fun tidbits about what we eat today. Here are a few highlights:

• Cranberries were initially used by Native Americans for medicine and dye before becoming a Thanksgiving staple.
• Although pumpkin pie wasn’t served on the first Thanksgiving, bumpkins were part of the meal, either roasted or boiled.
• Campbell’s Soup created green bean casserole in 1955 as an easy, no-fuss dish, and it’s been a favorite on Thanksgiving tables ever since.

First Thanksgiving Facts for Young Learners

For younger students or curious kids, here’s a simple way to summarize the first Thanksgiving:

• It happened in 1621 and was a 3-day feast.
• It was about giving thanks for the harvest and the help the Pilgrims received from the Wampanoag People.
• There were no modern-day staples like pies, but there was venison, seafood, and lots of veggies!

Fun Facts for Parents and Teachers

Thanksgiving fun doesn’t have to stop with kids and students—there’s plenty to share with adults, too! For instance, did you know Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers? Many pipes give out, and so much food and grease is dumped down drains. (Pro Tip: Don’t pour grease down the sink!)