Tania Ramirez

Gobble Up These Fun Thanksgiving Facts!

Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday filled with family, food, and gratitude. But how much do you really know about this festive day? Whether you’re prepping the turkey, baking a pumpkin pie, or simply relaxing with loved ones, here are some fun and surprising Thanksgiving facts to share around the dinner table!

1. The First Thanksgiving Was a Three-Day Feast

Forget your single-day celebrations; the very first Thanksgiving in 1621 lasted three whole days! The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans gathered together to celebrate a successful harvest with a feast that included deer, fowl, and seafood.

2. Turkey Wasn’t Always the Star

While turkey is the modern centerpiece, it wasn’t necessarily the main dish at the first Thanksgiving. Historical records suggest that venison, duck, goose, oysters, lobster, and fish were more likely on the menu. Turkey only became popular as the star of the feast in the 19th century.

3. A Presidential Pardon for Turkeys

Every year, the President of the United States pardons a turkey (or two) in a light-hearted ceremony. This fun tradition officially started with President George H.W. Bush in 1989, although there are accounts of earlier presidents informally sparing turkeys.

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tradition

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations, began in 1924. It featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo and was originally intended to promote the holiday spirit. Today, millions of people tune in to watch the gigantic balloons, elaborate floats, and performances.

5. Football and Thanksgiving: A Perfect Pair

Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. The tradition of watching football on Thanksgiving dates back to 1876, with a college game between Yale and Princeton. Professional football games have since become a beloved part of the holiday festivities.

6. The Origin of TV Dinners

Did you know that TV dinners have a Thanksgiving connection? In 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover turkey after the holiday. To avoid waste, a salesman suggested packaging the turkey with sides in aluminum trays, creating the first TV dinner!

7. Pumpkin Pie – A Thanksgiving Staple

Pumpkin pie has become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t on the menu at the first feast. Pilgrims lacked the butter and flour needed for pie crusts. Instead, they improvised by filling hollowed-out pumpkins with milk, honey, and spices to make a custard-like dessert.

8. Thanksgiving Is a Day of Thanks – Worldwide!

While Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday, similar celebrations exist around the world. Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October, while countries like Germany and Japan have their own harvest festivals, Erntedankfest and Kinro Kansha no Hi, respectively.

9. Cranberries: More Than Just Sauce

Cranberries are a Thanksgiving staple, but did you know they were used by Native Americans for more than just food? They made dyes and medicines from cranberries, and the fruit was also a valuable trade item.

10. The Largest Pumpkin Pie Ever Baked

In 2010, New Bremen, Ohio, set a world record by baking the largest pumpkin pie, weighing in at an astonishing 3,699 pounds and measuring 20 feet in diameter. It included 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin, 2,796 eggs, and 525 pounds of sugar!

So, there you have it – a cornucopia of Thanksgiving trivia to impress your guests this year. Whether you’re a history buff or just love the holiday’s traditions, these fun facts are sure to add some extra flavor to your Thanksgiving festivities. Happy Thanksgiving!

...

I always knew I wanted to have my own business. I am passionate about building teams, but what I enjoy the most is being present when our policyholders experience an ‘Ah-Ha!’ moment at our office. I’ll be the first to say that insurance now a days seems all the same and it is so easy to get coverage anywhere. I get it. I have insured people from all walks of life. Where it comes full circle for me is when we deliver on our word, and I hear “this is why I love State Farm.”

I am fueled by my passion for understanding the nuances of cross-cultural communication, which is why I choose to start my career in the heart of the Albany Park, North Park, Avondale and Logan Square communities. We have been helping our customers with Auto, Home, Life and Health insurance since 2011. Fun Fact: 60625 is the most diverse zip code in all of the U.S. We are now in two locations to serve you! On Elston and Lawrence Avenue.

I am a product of Chicago and while I grew up in the southwest side of Chitown, I am a proud Cubs fan, but I am a Chitown sports fan, nonetheless. I attended DePaul University where I obtained my Bachelors. A proud Dog Mom for Luna my Boston Terrier, you’ll see her at the office from time to time. We are a dog-friendly, bicycle-friendly office.