Presidential Pets

It seems appropriate that the President who gave us Thanksgiving, should also be the one who had a Turkey as a pet. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a day of thanksgiving. In preparation, a live turkey was added to the White House menagerie. President Lincoln's son, Tad, grew fond of the bird and named him Jack. When the time came for Jack to be served for supper, Tad pleaded for his life. Abraham Lincoln obliged and granted Jack, the turkey, an official pardon.

This tradition has continued from at least the 1970s. Two presidential turkeys, destined for the table, receive a last minute Presidential Reprieve and live out their lives in comfort. In the last few years, the American public has been asked to name the birds. In 2007 they were dubbed May and Flower. Voting takes place on the White House website.



Thank you Nanette for the delicious Turkey picture