![So, What’s the Deal With the Presidential Turkey Pardon Anyway? [GALLERY]](https://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2020/11/GettyImages-496023924.jpg?w=980&q=75)
So, What’s the Deal With the Presidential Turkey Pardon Anyway? [GALLERY]
It's a Thanksgiving tradition that I've always thought was hokey and never really understood the origin of and didn't really care to research it until my curious five-year-old started asking questions.
![98.1 The Hawk logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WHWKFM.png?w=100)
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that our lessons tend to go in a bunch of different directions based on the curiosity of our son. While doing a lesson plan about the origin of Thanksgiving, my son asked me why we eat turkey and then he asked how turkeys are selected for Thanksgiving dinner and without thinking, I replied something along the lines of "well, some turkeys are actually pardoned."
You can imagine what kinds of questions me saying the word "pardoned" led to. And now, my son knows more about the presidential turkey pardon than he probably could have ever dreamed of, as do I, and guess what? You're also about to get an education.
The Interesting but Somewhat Confusing Origin of the Presidential Turkey Pardon
LOOK: Famous Historic Homes in Every State
More From 98.1 The Hawk
![Exquisite Castle for Sale in Upstate New York](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2024/07/attachment-s1539072_43_2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Experience the Thrills: 2024 Greater Binghamton Airshow in Photos](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2024/07/attachment-Copy-of-Add-a-subheading-30.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Top Ten Most Patriotic Towns in New York State](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2023/06/attachment-patriotic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![16 Ways to Help Calm Your Dog During Fireworks [GALLERY]](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2021/06/attachment-alicia-jones-13Nt3KvEQ3w-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![10 of the Most Famous Fathers of New York State](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2023/06/attachment-famous-fathers.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is John Wilkes Booth’s Daughter Buried in Upstate New York?](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2021/09/attachment-GettyImages-3288339.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Yorkers Share Photos of the April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2024/04/attachment-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-ADIRONDACKS-81.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![15 Years Later – The Upstate New York Mass Murder That Devastated a Nation](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2024/03/attachment-ADIRONDACKS-80.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![These Peeps Rice Krispies Treats Are a Kaleidoscope of Color [GALLERY]](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2021/03/Peeps-Cover-Photo.jpg?w=980&q=75)