2
How many women were at the very first Thanksgiving celebration?
4 (possibly 5) There were originally more women on the voyage over, but according to History.com, about 78% died on the journey over or during the first winter from disease.
What professional football team has played almost every Thanksgiving since 1934?
The Detroit Lions
Has Thanksgiving always been celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November?
No. In 1939, Thanksgiving was celebrated on the third Thursday in November.
How long is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route?
2.5 miles
What is the busiest day of the year for plumbers?
Black Friday
It's not a myth; the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for America's largest provider of plumbing, sewer and drain services, Roto-Rooter. Think about the reasons why. The holiday is all about a big meal.
What town postponed Thanksgiving because they couldn't make pumpkin pies?
Colchester, Connecticut.
In 1705 the Connecticut town of Colchester famously postponed its Thanksgiving for a week because there wasn't enough molasses available to make pumpkin pie
What food did the colonists and Native Americans not have at the first Thanksgiving?
Turkey
While most of us enjoy turkey as the centerpiece of our table, no one can say for sure whether it was even on the menu back in 1621. However, the original guests did indulge in other foods like lobster, seal and swan. The Wampanoag also reportedly brought five deer to the celebration. If you also enjoy venison at your table, consider yourselves perfectly aligned with a longstanding tradition.
How many places in the U.S. bear the name turkey?
3
There is Turkey, Texas; Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Creek, Louisiana, according to the US Census Bureau. Turkey, Texas is the most populated, with 421 residents. There are also two townships in Pennsylvania called Upper Turkeyfoot and Lower Turkeyfoot.
How many passengers were on the Mayflower?
102
What are "Tofurky Roasts"?
Meat-free Thanksgivings
What did President Calvin Coolidge famously receive as a Thanksgiving gift?
Raccoon!
What area of Massachusetts still looks just like it did in the 17th century?
Plymouth, Massachusetts
If you want to see what Thanksgiving was really like back in the 1600s, the historic attraction Plymouth (or Plimoth) Plantation stays true to its historic roots.
What temperature should a turkey be cooked to for safe eating?
165 °F
When did the Mayflower officially depart England for America?
September 6, 1620
Who was the first video-game character featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Sonic the Hedgehog
How long was the first Thanksgiving?
Three days
The original Pilgrims really went all out. In November 1621, the settlers' first corn harvest proved so successful that Governor William Bradford reportedly invited the Plymouth colonists' Native American allies to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Members of the Wampanoag tribe came bearing food to share. They had so much bounty that the revelers decided to extend the affair.
What president refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday?
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson refused to recognize the event because he believed so firmly in the separation of church and state. Since Thanksgiving involved prayer and reflection, he thought designating it a national holiday would violate the First Amendment.
Which U.S. Founding Father famously referred to turkeys as "a bird of courage"?
Benjamin Franklin
How long was the Mayflower’s voyage from England to America?
66 days
Do other countries celebrate the holiday?
Yes! Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving — but on a different day.
Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday of October every year.
What city is home to the oldest Thanksgiving parade?
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Gimbel Brothers Department Store parade in 1920 had only 50 people, 15 cars and a fireman dressed as Santa Claus
How many runners participated in America’s first turkey trot?
6
The first race was hosted over a century ago by the local YMCA in Buffalo, NY and included just six runners — although only four of them made it to the finish line. One runner dropped out when his “late breakfast refused to keep in its proper place” and another simply excused himself after two miles.
How long can a turkey be stored in the freezer?
An unopened whole turkey can be frozen for up to two years,
What year did "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" debut on television?
November 20, 1973
How much pumpkin pie do Americans eat every Thanksgiving?
It is estimated that around 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed for thanksgiving every year in the USA.