Have You Ever Wondered Why We Eat Turkey For Thanksgiving?

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As I began planning my Thanksgiving dinner this year, I began to wonder why the heck we ever actually eat Turkey and why is it a thing every year? So, I had to find out why…

To be honest, I just make turkey because it’s what my parents always did (aside from it being delicious) but I wondered if there was more to that reason.

Well, turns out, it’s not some super amazing or secret reason why but it is sort of cool…

The reason why we eat Turkey on Thanksgiving is because colonist William Bradford had journals reprinted in 1856 after being lost for a century.

In the journals, they found many people advocate for having Thanksgiving turned into a national holiday.

Bradford had written about how the colonists had hunted wild turkeys during the autumn of 1621 and since turkey is a uniquely American (and tasty) bird, it gained traction as the Thanksgiving meal of choice for Americans after Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

Roasted turkey garnished with cranberries on a rustic style table decorated autumn leaf. Thanksgiving Day. Baked chicken. Top view

Aside from that, Alexander Hamilton once remarked that, “No citizen of the U.S. shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”

So, there you have it…

That’s why nearly every American celebrates Thanksgiving with a giant Turkey. Because some people wayyyy back in the day said so ha!

Oh, and did you know that nearly 45 to 46 million turkeys are consumed each year for Thanksgiving feasts? Um, WOW! That is A LOT of turkeys!

So, now you know!

Looking for more interesting facts to fill your brain with? Check out Why Cranberry Sauce Cans are upside down and Why People Push Cloves Into Oranges.

Christmas oranges

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