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Trump just 'pardoned' 2 turkeys named Drumstick and Wishbone — here's how the strange tradition got started

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Jim Bourg/Reuters

• The White House tradition of pardoning a turkey for Thanksgiving began under John F. Kennedy.
• No one really knows why American presidents do this.
• This year, President Trump continued the tradition.

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Every year, before the President of the United States can sit down and fully enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with his family, he must first go through the odd tradition of "pardoning" the turkey that won't be eaten.

While the reason why the tradition started is still a bit of a mystery, the White House traces it all the way back to President Lincoln in 1863.

As the story goes, Lincoln's son, Tad, may or may not have persuaded his father not to eat the turkey they purchased for Christmas dinner. They instead adopted it as a pet, naming the turkey Jack.

However, it would be more than 100 years until a President — John F. Kennedy —formally "pardoned" a turkey on the White House grounds.

This year, on November 21, President Donald Trump continued the tradition by pardoning Drumstick and Wishbone in the Rose Garden. "That’s a big bird. Wow. I feel so good about myself," said Trump right before the pardoning.

Below, a look at the strange tradition.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy received his Thanksgiving turkey from the Poultry and Egg National Board. He officially pardoned the bird by saying, "Let's keep him going."

Abbie Rowe/The National Archives Catalog

In 1967, the pardoning ceremony took place inside. Senator Everett Dirksen and representatives from the poultry industry and farm organizations presented a turkey to President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Frank Wolfe/LBJ Library

An incredibly creepy legend about President Richard Nixon's bird was recently confirmed by the Washington Post. As the story goes, the turkey was especially rambunctious, and its feet had to be nailed down to the table.

Atkins, Oliver F./The National Archives Catalog

Source: Washington Post

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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