Here are 10 surprising things about Thanksgiving that you probably didn’t know!
1. The First Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloons Were Released into the Sky
In the early Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, the giant balloons were released into the sky at the end of the parade. People who found the balloons would return them to Macy’s for a reward! This practice was later stopped to prevent hazards in the sky.
2. Thanksgiving Was Once Celebrated in Mid-October
Before the U.S. settled on the fourth Thursday in November, some early colonies celebrated Thanksgiving much earlier in the fall. In fact, for years, different states celebrated it on different dates. President Lincoln finally standardized the date in 1863.
3. FDR Tried to Change the Date of Thanksgiving
In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to help retailers by extending the Christmas shopping season during the Great Depression. The move was so unpopular that it was quickly reversed, and Thanksgiving was locked in as the fourth Thursday in November by Congress in 1941.
4. Minnesota Produces the Most Turkeys
Minnesota leads the nation in turkey farming, producing about 45 million turkeys each year. It’s no surprise that this state contributes significantly to the 46 million turkeys consumed on Thanksgiving Day across the U.S.
5. The Turkey You Eat Today Is Twice the Size of One in 1930
Over the years, selective breeding has made turkeys bigger. The average turkey today weighs around 15 pounds, which is double the size of the birds eaten during the early 20th century. This change was made to meet the increasing demand for more meat.
6. Only Male Turkeys Gobble
While the iconic turkey gobble is associated with Thanksgiving, many people don’t know that only male turkeys, or “toms,” make that sound. Female turkeys, or “hens,” make softer clucking noises.
7. The First TV Dinner Was Thanksgiving Leftovers
In 1953, Swanson accidentally ordered too many turkeys—260 tons too many! To avoid waste, the company packaged the leftovers into aluminum trays with side dishes, creating the first-ever TV dinners. They sold over 10 million in the first year!
8. Thomas Jefferson Refused to Celebrate Thanksgiving
Unlike other early presidents, Thomas Jefferson didn’t see Thanksgiving as a holiday worth celebrating. He believed it went against the separation of church and state since Thanksgiving originally involved giving thanks to God.
9. The First Thanksgiving Meal Didn’t Have Pies
While pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving favorite today, the Pilgrims didn’t have butter or wheat flour to bake a pie crust in 1621. They also lacked sugar, so dessert likely wasn’t on the menu.
10. There’s an Official Thanksgiving Song You’ve Never Heard
In 1850, a song called “The Thanksgiving Song” was written by Lydia Maria Child, who is best known for writing “Over the River and Through the Woods.” Though it was once popular, it was overshadowed by Christmas carols and is largely forgotten today.
At AviAway, we’re all about keeping your Thanksgiving celebration bird-friendly! If you’re dealing with bird problems on your property, our bird control solutions can help keep your home or business safe year-round.
For more info, visit AviAway or give us a call! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at AviAway!
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