Thanksgiving is next Thursday, Nov. 27, but another tradition is typically celebrated at the White House just a few days before the holiday: the presidential turkey pardon.

President Donald Trump is expected to spare two ceremonial turkeys on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Meanwhile, the Office of the First Lady has taken to social media to encourage people to vote for their favorite names for this year's pardon recipients. The options are: Sugar and Spice, Pumpkin and Pie, Gobble and Waddle or Acorn and Squash. But which president was first to pardon a turkey – and how the ceremony evolved – remains a combination of lore and historical documents. Before you start planning your holiday dinner, here’s a refresher on the unusual annual event.

National Thanksgiving Turkey origins

The tradition of a White House ceremony ahead of Thanksgiving began in 1947, when President Harry Truman received a live turkey from the National Turkey Federation, according to the National Archives. Contrary to reports that he pardoned the turkey, the Truman Library suggests the bird was probably served as dinner.

In recent years, the White House has selected which turkey should be presented as the National Thanksgiving Turkey and which should be the alternate, according to the organization. The president announces the final choice during the ceremony, but both are spared and sent to a petting zoo or an agricultural center for the remainder of their lives.

Who was the first president to pardon a turkey? Well, that depends.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was credited with saving a turkey from being served at Christmas dinner, according to then-White House reporter Noah Brooks and the White House Historical Association. According to the dispatch, a live turkey was brought home for Christmas dinner, but Lincoln’s son, Tad, pleaded to save the bird’s life, and his father agreed.

Officially, President John F. Kennedy is credited as the first to pardon a turkey. In 1963, a 55-pound bird wearing a sign around its neck reading "Good eating, Mr. President" was presented at the White House. "We’ll just let this one grow," said the president, asking that it be returned to its California farm.

Future turkeys received similar treatment from Presidents Ronald Regan and Jimmy Carter, but the word "pardon" was not officially designated on the birds.

The tradition was cemented by President George H.W. Bush, who, at the 1989 presentation, declared that the year’s bird would be officially pardoned, sparking the annual presidential action we see today. Bush declared at the presentation that the turkey "will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy – he’s presented a presidential pardon as of right now – and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here."

But it was the pleas of President Barack Obama’s two young daughters, Sasha and Malia, in 2009, who requested that both birds receive a pardon. It's a tradition that continues to this day.

Since 1989, 60 turkeys have been spared by U.S. presidents, including:

  • 2024 – Peach and Blossom
  • 2023 – Liberty and Bell
  • 2022 – Chocolate and Chip
  • 2021 – Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • 2020 – Corn and Cob
  • 2019 – Butter and Bread
  • 2018 – Peas and Carrots
  • 2017 – Drumstick and Wishbone
  • 2016 – Tot and Tater
  • 2015 – Abe and Honest
  • 2014 – Cheese and Mac
  • 2013 – Popcorn and Caramel
  • 2012 – Cobbler and Gobbler
  • 2011 – Liberty and Peace
  • 2010 – Apple and Cider
  • 2009 – Courage and Carolina
  • 2008 – Pecan and Pumpkin
  • 2007 – May and Flower
  • 2006 – Flyer and Fryer
  • 2005 – Marshmallow and Yam
  • 2004 – Biscuits and Gravy
  • 2003 – Stars and Stripes
  • 2002 – Katie and Zack
  • 2001 – Liberty and Freedom
  • 2000 – Pee Wee and his backup
  • 1999 – Ranger
  • 1998 – Harry and his backup
  • 1997 – Yosemite and his sidekick
  • 1996 – Ziggy
  • 1995 – Bucky and his alternate
  • 1994 – Swan and his backup
  • 1993 – Bartholomew
  • 1992 – Yukon and Gold
  • 1991 – Honky and Tonky
  • 1990 – Spike and Peanut
  • 1989 – Jerry

Contributors: USA TODAY’s Janet Loehrke

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who was the first president to pardon a turkey? History of the unusual event

Reporting by Kate Perez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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