Question
Here is the question : WHAT THANKSGIVING TRADITION BECAME OFFICIAL UNDER GEORGE H.W. BUSH?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Pie-eating contest
- Tree lighting
- Pardoning a turkey
- Egg roll
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Abraham Lincoln is rumored to have granted clemency to a Thanksgiving turkey in the year 1863 after observing that his son took a liking to the bird. This is where the unofficial roots of the tradition of U.S. Presidents pardoning turkeys on Thanksgiving may be found. Although there have been a few other presidents who have saved turkeys over the years, the act did not become an official White House tradition until 1989, when it was carried out by George H.W. Bush. In that year, the president offered an official pardon to a bird.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been celebrated in the United States for hundreds of years. It is a time for families to come together and give thanks for all the blessings in their lives. One of the most well-known traditions of Thanksgiving is the presidential pardon of a turkey. This tradition, which has been in practice for several decades, was made official under President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
The origins of the turkey pardon are somewhat murky, but it is believed to have started in the early 20th century. At that time, it was common for people to bring live turkeys to the White House as a gift for the president. The turkeys were often intended to be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner, but some presidents took pity on the birds and spared their lives.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the turkey pardon became an official tradition. President Ronald Reagan was the first to use the term “pardon” in reference to the turkey. He didn’t actually pardon any turkeys during his presidency, but he did send them to a petting zoo instead of having them for dinner.
President George H.W. Bush was the first president to officially pardon a turkey. In 1989, he announced that he would pardon a turkey named “Liberty.” The turkey was flown to Washington, D.C. from Minnesota, where it had been raised. President Bush joked that the turkey had been “accused of being the most fowl bird in America” and that he was “granted a presidential pardon as of right now.”
Since then, every president has continued the tradition of pardoning a turkey each year. The turkeys are usually raised by a National Turkey Federation member and selected for their size, appearance, and temperament. The turkeys are named and given a send-off ceremony before they are sent to live out the rest of their days on a farm or petting zoo.
While the turkey pardon is a lighthearted tradition, it has become an important part of the Thanksgiving holiday for many Americans. It serves as a reminder to be grateful for all the blessings in our lives, including the animals that provide us with food. It is also a reminder to treat animals with kindness and compassion.
In recent years, some animal rights activists have criticized the turkey pardon as a publicity stunt that does little to help actual turkeys. They argue that the turkeys that are pardoned are still raised in factory farms and live short, miserable lives before being slaughtered. Others see the turkey pardon as a harmless tradition that brings a bit of levity to a holiday that can be stressful and emotionally charged.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the turkey pardon, it is clear that the tradition has become an integral part of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Every year, millions of Americans tune in to see which lucky turkey will be pardoned by the president. And while the turkey may not actually be granted a legal pardon, the sentiment behind the tradition is one of gratitude and compassion – values that ar