Thanksgiving History
In 1870, which president who was a commanding general during the Civil War signed legislation to make Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day federal holidays?
Ulysses S. Grant
Whether you make it yourself with fresh tart red berries or get the stuff in a can, what’s the name given to the jam-like, relish-esque side dish that’s a Thanksgiving favorite?
Cranberry Sauce
In what decade did both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and America’s Thanksgiving Parade start?
1920's
What year was A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
made?
1973
How much did the world's largest pumpkin pie weigh?
3,699 pounds
What year was the celebration that is most commonly considered to be the first Thanksgiving?
1621
Which brand of crunchy onion snack was invented by a Frito-Lay worker in the late ‘60s and became a key ingredient in many a family’s Thanksgiving green bean casserole?
Funyuns
How do both Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and America’s Thanksgiving Parade conclude?
With the arrival of Santa Claus
A Mr. Bean Christmas special bit inspired a "Friends" Thanksgiving gag of what sandwich-lovin' character getting his head stuck in a turkey?
Joey
What professional football team has played almost every Thanksgiving since 1934?
The Detroit Lions
Under which U.S. president did Thanksgiving become an annual holiday?
Abraham Lincoln
North Carolina leads the nation in the production of what tuber, the state vegetable, which is used in pies and Thanksgiving casseroles?
Sweet Potato
The doughy mascot associated with canned biscuits, crescent rolls, and other unbaked confectionery has appeared as a balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades since 2009. What brand, featured in his name, does he represent?
Pillsbury
Rory and Lorelai work to squeeze in four holiday dinners in "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving," an episode from what TV series?
Gilmore Girls
A Thanksgiving turkey mix-up inspired what popular meal trend?
Frozen TV dinners
In 1953, a Swanson employee accidentally ordered a colossal shipment of Thanksgiving turkeys (260 tons, to be exact). To deal with the excess, salesman Gerry Thomas took inspiration from the prepared foods served on airplanes. He came up with the idea of filling 5,000 aluminum trays with the turkey – along with cornbread dressing, gravy, peas and sweet potatoes to complete the offering. The 98-cent meals were a hit, especially with kids and increasingly busy households. Within a single year, over 10 million were sold and a whole industry was born.
Which U.S. president was the first to give a turkey a presidential pardon?
Ronald Reagan
a big ol' helping of Thanksgiving turkey contains what T-word amino acid that makes you sleepy?
Tryptophan
How many people attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City?
3.5 million
The only other Thanksgiving-related special in Peanuts media is called?
This is America, Charlie Brown
What did President Calvin Coolidge famously receive as a Thanksgiving gift?
A live raccoon
In November 1926, Vinnie Joyce of Nitta Yuma, Mississippi, sent the 30th President of the United States a live raccoon to be served as Thanksgiving dinner. However, the President became so smitten with the furry animal that he pardoned it and adopted it as a pet. He named it Rebecca.
How long was the first Thanksgiving?
Three days
In what century were the first pumpkin pies as we know them made?
17th century
What wasn't part of the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Balloons
Who directed the 1986 film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", which showcased the disasters of Thanksgiving weekend traveling that starred John Candy and Steve Martin?
John Hughes
What's the only area in Australia to celebrate Thanksgiving?
Norfolk Island
The tradition started when American whaling ships would make frequent stops on the island during the late 1800s. The tiny territory, home to fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, typically celebrates the American holiday with a meal that combines classic Thanksgiving foods like pumpkin pie and cornbread blended with Norfolk Island cuisine. Many also celebrate by attending church services.