Turkey
What is an adult female turkey called?
Hen
What ship brought the Pilgrims to North America?
The Mayflower
What city has always hosted the parade?
New York, City
True or False: The balloons used to be released into the sky at the end of the parade.
True!
From 1927–1933, balloons were released with return-address labels.
People who found them got a reward.
What is the name of the horn-shaped basket filled with fruits and vegetables that's commonly associated with Thanksgiving?
Cornucopia
What part of the turkey is pulled apart for good luck?
Wishbone
What is an adult male turkey called?
Tom
The area where the Pilgrims arrived is now part of this U.S. state.
Massachusetts
Before giant character balloons made their debut in 1927, the parade used these instead.
Live zoo animals from the Central Park Zoo
The first Thanksgiving had more Pilgrims than Native Americans.
False — there were more Wampanoag present.
What process refers to soaking a turkey in saltwater solution before cooking it?
Brining
What is often ranked as America’s least favorite Thanksgiving side dish?
Green bean casserole (in many surveys)
Which U.S. president was the first to officially pardon a turkey?
George H.W. Bush officially
The tradition of pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving began with President John F. Kennedy in 1963, when he publicly spared a turkey presented to him. This act was later formalized by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, who humorously declared that the turkey would not end up on anyone's dinner table, marking the official start of the tradition.
George H.W. Bush
Which U.S. president made Thanksgiving an official national holiday?
Abraham Lincoln
The first parade didn’t take place on Thanksgiving at all—it actually happened on this fall holiday.
Christmas
(Technically, it was called the “Macy’s Christmas Parade.”)
True or False: The Macy’s Parade was once canceled because of a helium shortage.
True — during WWII.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was suspended between 1942 and 1944 due to a helium and rubber shortage during World War II. The parade was canceled as both rubber from deflated Macy's balloons and helium were in short supply. The rubber was donated to the military, and helium was also donated to the military in the form of the balloons. The parade resumed in November 1945, fittingly featuring an Uncle Sam balloon, and has continued as usual since then.
The Monday after Thanksgiving is what unofficial shopping holiday?
Cyber Monday
What is the name for a baby turkey?
A poult
Who gobbles—male or female turkeys?
Only male turkeys gobble.
Females cluck and chirp.
How many passengers were on the Mayflower? (must be within 10 people?)
102
This classic 1947 Christmas film features scenes from the real Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and stars a young girl who doesn’t believe in Santa.
Miracle on 34th Street
True or False: Turkeys can see colors better than humans.
True — they have excellent color vision.
Which two NFL teams have played a game on Thanksgiving Day since 1966?
Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys
How many miles per hour can a turkey run?
Up to 20 miles per hour
What is the bright red dangly skin under a turkey’s beak called?
A wattle.
How long was the Mayflower’s voyage from England to America? (must be within 5 days)
66 days
How long is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route?
2.5 miles
Cranberries grow underwater.
False — they grow on vines in sandy bogs.
(The bogs are flooded during harvest so the berries float, which makes it look like they grow in water!)
Which state produces the most cranberries?
Wisconsin
What fall flower is sometimes called the “Queen of Fall” because it blooms late in the season?
Chrysanthemum (mum)
What is the flap of skin that hangs over a turkey’s beak called?
Snood
What notable Native American served as an interpreter between the Pilgrims and Native Americans?
Squanto
According to Macy's, roughly how many people attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade each year?
3.5 million
True or False: Pumpkin pie was definitely served at the very first Thanksgiving.
Answer: False — they didn’t have ovens or sugar.
This U.S. state produces more turkeys each year than any other.
Minnesota
What is the main ingredient in traditional mincemeat pie?
Dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, and apples)
(Fun fact: It originally contained actual minced meat centuries ago, but today it’s mostly fruit and spices!)