Presidents and the Government
Macy's Parade
Food
Misc 1
Misc 2
100

According to the White House Historical Association, which president was the first to pardon a turkey? 

John F. Kennedy (JFK) 

Although earlier presidents may have pardoned a turkey, the White House Historical Association states that JFK was the first, with the words "pardon" and "reprieve" being used in a 1963 Washington Post article. Kennedy famously said, "Let's keep him going!" 

100

How old is the Macy's Parade this year? (2024)

100 Years 

The first Macy's Parade occurred on November 27th, 1924, and was called the Macy's Christmas Parade. The first "Thanksgiving Day Parade" occurred in 1927. 

100

True or False: There was turkey at the first Thanksgiving celebration?

False

Some sources have said they are geese, but no turkey was present at the first Thanksgiving feast. It wasn't until the 1800s when eating turkey on Thanksgiving became popular. 

100

How long was the first Thanksgiving celebration?

3 Days 

100

When was the first Thanksgiving NFL game? 

Hint: It happened the same year the NFL was founded.

1920 

Although the first NFL Thanksgiving game was in 1920, the Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game since 1934, and the Dallas Cowboys have hosted one since 1966. It is in every player's contract that they MUST play on Thanksgiving Day. 

200

Known for his affinity of books, which president refused to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday?

Thomas Jefferson

It was Abraham Lincoln who declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. 

200

TWO-PART QUESTION (MUST GET BOTH RIGHT FOR POINTS)

1. Which Frank Sinatra classic opens the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade each year?

2. Which classic holiday character always appears at the end of the Parade? 

1. "(Theme From) New York, New York"

2. Santa Claus 

FUN FACT: Coca-Cola is often credited for creating the modern image of a jolly Santa Claus. 


200

To the nearest thousand, how much did the world's most expensive Thanksgiving dinner cost? 

A. $402,000  B. $567,000  C. $181,000  D. $34,000

Double Points: What Northeastern city did this dinner happen in?

$181,000

Bonus: New York, New York 

The dinner was served at Old Homestead Steakhouse in New York City's Meatpacking District.

200
In what year was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?

1621

200

To the nearest half-million, approximately how many people attended the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City? 

3.5 million 

The first Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1927, and was also broadcast on NBC radio. In 1952, NBC halted their broadcast of the parade on the radio and instead focused on broadcasting the event on television, which they had been doing annually since 1945. 

300

Which U.S. president began the annual tradition of pardoning a "fine tom turkey"? 

George H. W. Bush 

In 1989, he "presented a Presidential pardon" to a "fine tom turkey", and it quickly became an annual presidential tradition. 

300

Which classic comic-strip character has appeared the most as a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Snoopy

Since he first appeared in the Macy's Parade in 1968, Snoopy has made a grand total of 42 appearances, the most of any character. 

300

On average, how many calories are consumed, per person, each Thanksgiving? 

A. 4500  B. 3400 C. 9000  D. 5678

4500

300

Which famous song, often considered a Christmas classic, was meant to be sung on Thanksgiving? 

"Jingle Bells" 

First published in 1857, ""Jingle Bells"" was written by James Lord Pierpont to be sung on Thanksgiving, not Christmas. 

300

Black Friday is the biggest day of the year of what profession? 

A. Plumbers  B. Cashiers  C. Business owners  D. Janitors 

Plumbers

Due to the fact that there is more human waste and an overuse of plumbing after the big Thanksgiving meal, plumbers have their busiest day of the year during the annual shopping holiday. 

400

Which U.S. President moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November for one year to boost the U.S. economy for the holiday season? 

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) 

In 1939, FDR moved Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday in November to boost retail sales during the Great Depression. Many states refused to accept this change, and in 1941, Congress passed a law that established that Thanksgiving would be on the fourth Thursday of November to avoid confusion. 

400

What video game character became the first video game character to be featured as a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon in 1991? 

Sonic the Hedgehog

The SEGA video game icon appeared as a balloon in the annual parade the same year he made his debut in "Sonic the Hedgehog" on the SEGA Genesis console. 

400

To the nearest thousand, how much did the world's largest pumpkin pie weigh? 

4,000 lbs (Exact: 3,699 lbs)

The pie, which was made by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio on September 25, 2010, weighed almost 3,700 lbs, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 

400

In "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", who wins the large half of the wishbone when they pull it apart in the closing scene of the special? 

Woodstock 

At the end of the 1973 special, Snoopy and Woodstock are seen enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving feast alone, while the rest of the gang heads to Charlie Brown's grandmother's house. Woodstock pulls the large half of the wishbone, and launched through the air as a result. 

400

What is the earliest date in November that Thanksgiving can fall on? 

FOR DOUBLE POINTS: What is the latest date Thanksgiving can fall on?

Earliest: November 22nd 

Latest: November 28th 

Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday of November.  If the 1st is a Thursday, then Thanksgiving would fall on November 22nd. If the 1st is a Friday, then Thanksgiving would not be until the 28th!

500
Which Founding Father of the United States once famously referred to the turkey as "a bird of courage"? 

Benjamin Franklin

500

What iconic early cartoon character became the first to be featured as a balloon in the annual parade in 1927? 

Felix the Cat 

Often considered the first animated movie star, the cartoon cat was created in 1919, and appeared as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's first balloon in 1927!

500

What U.S. state raises the most turkeys? 

Minnesota 

According to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Minnesota has been ranked as #1 in turkey production for years, raising around 40 to 42 million turkeys a year!

500

Which retailer, which was also prominently featured in the 2003 film, "Elf", was the first to host a Thanksgiving Day Parade, four years before Macy's?

Gimbels 

They held the first Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1920 in Philadelphia. 

500

In Adam Sandler's "The Thanksgiving Song", "Turkey with gravy and cranberry..." Adam Sandler can't believe the Mets traded which player? 

Darryl Strawberry 

The Thanksgiving Song debuted in 1992 on the "Weekend Update" segment of SNL with Kevin Nealon joining in. Adam Sandler and Chris Farley were both fired from SNL in 1995!

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