Presidents and the Government
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!"
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.
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.
How long was the first Thanksgiving celebration?
3 Days
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.
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.
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.
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.
1621
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.
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.
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.
On average, how many calories are consumed, per person, each Thanksgiving?
A. 4500 B. 3400 C. 9000 D. 5678
4500
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Benjamin Franklin
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!
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!
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.
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!