Think you’ve got Thanksgiving all figured out? Turkey, stuffing, naps, repeat? Nah. There’s a bunch of random facts about the holiday that most people don’t even know. Let’s dig into the weird side of Turkey Day.
One Turkey Gets a VIP Pass Every Year
So, apparently back in the day, President George H.W. Bush decided to spare one turkey from becoming dinner. Ever since then, every year a single bird gets “pardoned” by the president. It’s basically a national tradition now. That turkey literally wins the lottery.
Thanksgiving Eve = Biggest Drinking Night of the Year??
No joke, the night before Thanksgiving is when bars make the most money all year. Yeah, even more than New Year’s or the Super Bowl. People come home, catch up with friends, and get totally smashed. It’s like a reunion mixed with a hangover waiting to happen.
We Eat Like Absolute Maniacs
On average, folks down around 6,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day. That’s… a lot. But hey, it’s a holiday—cheat days were made for this. Just maybe skip the scale for a few days after.
Ben Franklin Was Team Turkey
Believe it or not, ol’ Ben Franklin was all about the turkey. He thought the bald eagle was kind of a jerk and wanted the turkey to be America’s national bird instead. Not even kidding.
“Jingle Bells” Wasn’t Meant for Christmas
Here’s a twist: Jingle Bells was originally written for Thanksgiving. It was made in 1857, and people liked it so much they kept singing it right into December… and, well, here we are 160+ years later, still jingling all the way.
Thomas Jefferson Was NOT a Fan
TJ was not down with Thanksgiving at all. He thought it was dumb and didn’t want anything to do with it. Guess he wasn’t into mashed potatoes and family awkwardness.
Turkeys Are as American as Apple Pie
Fun fact: turkeys are the only poultry species that actually originated in the Western Hemisphere. So yeah, they’re not just tasty—they’re authentically homegrown.
We Go Through a TON of Turkey
Roughly 1 out of every 6 turkeys eaten in the U.S. gets devoured on Thanksgiving alone. That’s kinda wild considering it’s just one day out of the whole year.
“Tom Turkey” Was Named Out of Spite
Ben Franklin, still salty about Jefferson hating turkeys, decided to call male turkeys “Toms” just to troll him. Yep, the name literally came from a presidential-level grudge. Petty legends.