History of Thanksgiving
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. You can even celebrate Thanksgiving at the site, which is modeled after a colonist's home and a Wampanoag site. Guests and members can order advance tickets (which include two-day admission) to attend a Thanksgiving dinner. The table-groaning feast features authentic courses like a corn pudding and fish fricassee, tales of colonial life and old-timey songs.
What four ingredients go into making a basic pie crust?
Flour, salt, water and butter/shortening
What percentage of Americans actually eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
a. 92%
b. 88%
c. 75%
d. 62%
b. 88%
If your family goes in a different direction on the big day, you're not alone. According to the National Turkey Federation, 88% of Americans chow down on Thanksgiving turkey (see these turkey serving guidelines). The rest may be vegetarian or vegan, or just taking a stand against a protein that, let's face it, doesn't show up much the rest of the year for a reason.
What is typically the biggest safety hazard on Thanksgiving?
Fires
With all the cooking and baking going on, it's not surprising that kitchen fires are the most common danger on Thanksgiving. Make sure your smoke alarms work properly and that flammable items like rags are out of reach and away from flames. The day after Thanksgiving is also one of the busiest days of the year for pet ERs, so be careful around your furry friends.
How long is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route?
2.5 miles
The original Thanksgiving feast lasted how many days?
Three days
What is the name of the horn-shaped basket filled with fruits and vegetables that's commonly associated with Thanksgiving?
Cornucopia.
What state raises the most turkeys?
Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Minnesota has "long been" the turkey capital in the United States and has consistently ranked #1 in turkey production, raising 40 to 42 million birds a year.
Which state produces the most cranberries?
Wisconsin
How many people attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City??
3.5 million
An additional 50 million end up watching at home.
Which president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Abraham Lincoln.
What food was served at the first Thanksgiving but is rarely served today?
Seafood like lobster, clams, and mussels were likely served, along with eel, which was a delicacy.
Which U.S. state consumes the most turkey per capita on Thanksgiving Day?
California
What professional football team has played almost every Thanksgiving since 1934?
The Detroit Lions
The team has always played on Thanksgiving except between 1939-1944 due to World War II. The Dallas Cowboys also joined in on the Turkey Day tradition in 1966 and have played every Thanksgiving except in 1975 and 1977. Both teams always play on their home field. On the other hand, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only NFL team to have never played a game on Thanksgiving.
Which float is the oldest still in use for the Macy's Day Parade?
a. Felix the Cat
b. Snoopy
c. Rocking Horse
d. Turkey
The Rocking Horse is the oldest float still in use for the Parade. It was handmade by the legendary Manny Bass, a Parade designer for over 40 years.
What president refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday?
Thomas Jefferson
Presidents originally had to declare Thanksgiving a holiday every year up until Lincoln made it a national holiday during his tenure. The only president who didn't? Thomas Jefferson. He 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 as a national holiday would violate the First Amendment. He also thought it was better suited as a state holiday, not a federal one.
What Christmas song was originally written for Thanksgiving?
Jingle Bells
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 two pantry items are mostly commonly used to help thicken gravy?
Flour and cornstarch
Which city has hosted America’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade since 1920?
Philadelphia
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.
Where did the tradition of breaking the wishbone come from?
Italy
The turkey wishbone tradition is said to date back to around 800 BCE, to an ancient Italian civilization known as the Etruscans. They would dry chicken bones and then touch them (not break them) for good luck. At the time, Etruscans believed that birds were oracles capable of foreseeing the future, so by touching their bones, people could manifest good things for their own futures.
How long can a turkey be stored in the freezer?
An unopened whole turkey can be frozen for up to two years!
Floats may be designed to be up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide! How small do they fold down to be?
a. 20 foot by 20 foot box
b. 18 foot by 7 foot box
c. 5 foot by 7 foot box
d. 12 foot by 8 foot box
They fold down into a 12 foot by 8 foot box to make the journey into the city through the Lincoln tunnel.
What is the busiest day of the year for plumbers?
Black Friday
Thanks to all that food we gobble up on Thanksgiving (see these leftover turkey recipes) and houseguests stressing out the plumbing system, Roto-Rooter reports that kitchen drains, garbage disposals and yes, toilets, require more attention the day after Thanksgiving than any other day. Before you have to join the legions paying a hefty holiday bill, you may want to remind your kitchen clean-up crew to scrape the plates before washing.