The presidential turkey pardon has become such a familiar tradition that it seems like it’s been around since the Pilgrims. But the holiday stunt is actually a relatively modern creation. Here’s a look.
1863
Abe Lincoln’s Son Saves a Turkey
Tad Lincoln befriends a turkey named Jack that was intended as Christmas dinner. He successfully lobbies his father to spare the bird, marking the first recorded instance of a White House turkey being saved.
1873
Donated Thanksgiving Birds Come to the White House
Rhode Island poultry dealer Horace Vose sends a 36-pound turkey to President Ulysses S. Grant, starting an annual tradition. There’s no lifesaving intervention, however: It seems to have ended up on people’s dinner plates.
1947
Harry Truman Receives a Live Turkey
The National Turkey Federation, which still supplies the White House birds today, sends its first turkey to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue–where it’s killed and eaten.
1954
Dwight Eisenhower Feeds a Fowl
The President seems to bond with the donated bird, feeding it a cranberry by hand. Still, a pardon is not forthcoming.
1963
John F. Kennedy Kicks Off a Tradition
The modern turkey ritual is born when Kennedy receives his bird at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. “Let’s keep him going,” the President says, sparing its life. Just three days later, Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.
1987
Ronald Reagan Jokes About “Pardoning” a Turkey
After Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter sent their turkeys to petting zoos, Reagan also spares the White House bird. At the ceremony, he jokes about pardoning it, introducing that concept to the culture.
1989
George H.W. Bush Hosts First Official Poultry Pardon
Bush runs with Reagan’s impromptu comment, granting the turkey a ceremonial pardon. “Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table,” Bush says.
2009
Barack Obama Pardons Two Turkeys
At his daughters’ request, Obama saves a second bird. Presidents have been sparing multiple gobblers ever since.
2025
Donald Trump Continues the Tradition?
The norm-shattering President hasn’t announced his intent for this year, but he did save the birds during his previous term. The White House didn’t respond to a request for information on his pardoning plans.
This article appears in the November 2025 issue of Washingtonian.
Illustrations by Niky Chopra
