History and Origins
This English colony celebrated an autumn harvest feast in 1621 with the Wampanoag people; name the colony.
Plymouth Colony
This large bird is most commonly served as the main dish at Thanksgiving dinners in the United States.
Turkey
This northeastern U.S. state is often associated with the early Pilgrim settlers and Plymouth Rock.
Massachusetts
This Native American leader of the Wampanoag people helped the Pilgrims survive their first years in North America; his name often appears in Thanksgiving stories.
Massasoit (often named in histories) — accept “Massasoit” or “Ousamequin”
On Thanksgiving Day some people play a short game of this sport, often called “Turkey Bowl.” Which sport is it?
Football
The 1621 harvest feast lasted several days and included people from both groups. The group native to the region that shared food and helped the colonists survive is called the ______.
Wampanoag
A common side dish made from small orange vegetables that might be mashed or roasted is called ______.
Carrots or sweet potatoes
The first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 is commonly associated with the region that is now this U.S. state.
Massachusetts (Plymouth, MA)
This Pilgrim governor of Plymouth Colony is known for leading the early settlers and organizing the 1621 feast.
William Bradford
Many families set aside time to say these during the meal, sometimes before eating, thanking for family and blessings. What are they called?
Prayers or saying grace
In 1620 the Pilgrims sailed on a ship with a famous name; what was this ship called?
The Mayflower
A sweet baked dessert often served at Thanksgiving made from a spiced mix and a type of squash is called ______ pie.
Pumpkin pie
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place in this New York City borough.
Manhattan
The 19th-century woman who campaigned for a national Thanksgiving to be held each year and wrote compelling letters to political leaders was ______.
Sarah Josepha Hale
A popular spicy seasoning often used in pumpkin pie, also used in other fall baking, is called ______.
Cinnamon (or pumpkin spice blend)
In the 1800s, one U.S. leader made Thanksgiving a national holiday by declaring a specific day of the year; name the president most often credited for establishing an annual national Thanksgiving proclamation.
Abraham Lincoln
Many families have a tradition of watching this large parade held in New York City on Thanksgiving Day; what is it commonly called?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The U.S. state that is the largest producer of cranberries, a common Thanksgiving fruit, is ______.
Wisconsin (largest cranberry producer)
This president issued a Thanksgiving proclamation during the Civil War in 1863, asking Americans to pray and give thanks; name him.
Abraham Lincoln
This colorful small fruit is commonly used to make a sauce served with turkey; it grows on small, bushy plants.
Cranberries
Before Thanksgiving became a single national date, different states celebrated it on different days. Which 19th-century writer and activist popularized the idea of a unified national Thanksgiving and urged Americans to observe it annually?
Sarah Josepha Hale
Long-standing tradition involves the U.S. president performing this lighthearted act each year involving a turkey; what is the act often called?
Pardoning the turkey (often called the “turkey pardon”)
The presidential turkey pardon historically happens in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. Name the other word for the district where the U.S. Capitol is located.
DC (District of Columbia) — postal abbreviation: DC
A fictional turkey from a popular children’s book (or cartoon) that teaches a lesson about being grateful or different — name one such turkey character students might know (accept reasonable answers).
Acceptable examples: “Turkey Lurkey” (from Rebecca Colby), “Tom Turkey,” or characters from modern children’s books/cartoons — accept reasonable answers
In modern Thanksgiving parades, large inflatable balloons are common. The first large helium balloons in the Macy’s parade were introduced in which century (answer: 17th,18th,19th,20th or 21st)?
20th century