7 Amazing Thanksgiving Facts for Kids

Gobble, gobble! Thanksgiving is an exciting time of year for kids. It's a fun-filled day of yummy food, games, and spending time with family. But did you know there's a lot more to this special day than just turkey and pumpkin pie? Let's dive into some interesting Thanksgiving facts that you might not have heard before!

Thanksgiving is a harvest festival that has been celebrated for hundreds of years. It's a time to give thanks for the good things in our lives, and to share a big feast with our loved ones. The story of Thanksgiving often starts with the first harvest celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. However, similar harvest festivals have been held by many cultures throughout history. In some Native American tribes, for instance, the Potlatch and Green Corn Ceremonies are held to celebrate successful harvests.

When Was Thanksgiving First Celebrated?

While the Pilgrims' harvest celebration might be the most famous, the first Thanksgiving in the United States was actually held by the Spanish explorer, Juan de Oñate. In 1610, he celebrated a thanksgiving day in New Mexico to express gratitude for a successful journey to the region. Clearly, the idea of giving thanks for good fortune has been around for a long time!

In the United States, Thanksgiving was not officially declared a national holiday until 1863. President Abraham Lincoln set this day aside as a time for family, reflection, and gratitude. It was later fixed as the fourth Thursday of November in 1941 when Congress passed a joint resolution making it a federal holiday.

The Legendary Turkey Pardon

One of the most popular Thanksgiving traditions is the Presidential Turkey Pardon. Each year, the President of the United States spares a turkey from becoming dinner by "pardoning" it. This fun tradition started in 1989 with then-President George H.W. Bush but has its origins in an even earlier practice. In the 19th century, it was common for farmers to send live turkeys to politicians as gifts. Some of these turkeys were used for dinner, but others were pardoned and sent to zoos or farms.

The first official Presidential Turkey Pardon took place at George H.W. Bush's Thanksgiving party. The tradition has continued every year since, with each president finding a creative way to announce the pardoned turkey's name and new home. In 2020, for example, President Trump pardonedCorn cobber and daughter cookies, while President Biden pardoned Chocolate and Chip, two lucky turkeys from Minnesota.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

A more recent tradition, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, began in 1924. It was started by Macy's employees who wanted to celebrate at the end of the World War I. The parade originally featured animals from the Central Park Zoo, but it wasn't long before the iconic giant character balloons were introduced. The first balloons were actually made from rubber and were only 40 feet tall. Today, these hot air balloons can reach up to 70 feet tall and are a beloved part of the parade!

Over the years, the parade has featured balloons of many famous characters, from Popeye and Felix the Cat to Sonic the Hedgehog and SpongeBob SquarePants. The most popular balloons are often those from iconic children's books and movies, such as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Pikachu." In 2020, a new character joined the lineup: "Care," a balloon based on Sesame Street's iconic Muppet character, Big Bird.

Thanksgiving Food Fun Facts

Thanksgiving is known for its delicious food, but did you know that some of our favorite dishes have fascinating histories? Let's take a look at some turkey day classics and the stories behind them.

Turkey, of course, is the star of the show. But it wasn't always the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. In the early years of the holiday, dishes like chicken, goose, and even squirrel were served! It wasn't until the 18th century that turkey became the preferred main course. Today, about 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving each year in the United States alone!

Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows

Sweet potatoes are another staple at the Thanksgiving table. Though they've been a part of the meal for a long time, the marshmallows on top are a more recent addition. The "sweet potato casserole" with marshmallows was first popularized in the 1960s, when canned sweet potatoes and convenience foods were becoming increasingly common. Despite its controversial status, this classic side dish is still beloved by many today.

While marshmallows are often thought of as a modern indulgence, they've actually been around for centuries. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese made sweet treats from the sap of certain plants, and the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés is said to have brought them to Europe in the 16th century. It was in the 18th and 19th centuries that marshmallows began to look more like the ones we know today, thanks to advancements in chemistry and candy-making techniques.

Cranberry Sauce and the Great Thanksgiving Debate

Cranberry sauce is another traditional Thanksgiving food that has its own unique history. The cranberry was revered by Native American tribes, who used it for both food and medicine. Early settlers learned about the fruit's healing properties and incorporated cranberries into their diets. By the mid-19th century, canned cranberry sauce became a popular convenience food, thanks to advances in food preservation techniques.

Today, there's a great debate about how to serve cranberry sauce: as a smooth jelly or in lumpy, port-wine-marinated form. Smooth cranberry sauce is made by cooking the berries down until they've lost their shape, while the lumpy version is simply canned and heated. No matter which side you're on, there's no denying that cranberry sauce is a must-have part of the Thanksgiving feast!

As we've seen, Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in history and tradition. From the turkey on your plate to the parade on your TV screen, there's a story behind almost every aspect of this special day. So this Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate not just the food and fun, but also the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences that have woven together to create this cherished holiday. And who knows—maybe next year, you'll have some new turkey day facts to share with your family and friends!