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Pardon Me! A Thanksgiving TraditionBy Erin Horner

Many Americans love ThanksgivingDay. They may eat a huge dinner ofroast turkey and pumpkin pie. Somelike to watch college football on TV.Others may go to a big parade. Theseare all traditions. Do you think thatturkeys have a favorite tradition? Ifyou were the White House turkeyyou would! Every year one turkey ispicked to be the NationalThanksgiving Turkey. This turkey isgiven to the president and his family.But this turkey does not end up onthe dinner table. He is pardoned, or saved! President Lincoln oncesaved a White House turkey because his son Tad really liked it.President Kennedy also saved a bird in 1961. Instead of cooking it hesaid, "Oh, let's just keep him!" Then in 1989, President George H.W.Bush gave the first official pardon. This special notice saved thatyear's turkey. This fun tradition has continued ever since. Sometraditions are worth repeating. I'm sure that all the future White Houseturkeys hope that this one goes on for a long time!

Pardon Me! A Thanksgiving Tradition

Questions1. Name two Thanksgiving Day traditions.

2. President Lincoln once saved the National Turkey because______.

A. he was a vegetarianB. his son Tad was a vegetarianC. his wife did not like turkeyD. his son Tad had really liked it

3. President ______ was the first president to give an officialpardon to the white house turkey.

A. George W. BushB. George WashingtonC. George H.W. BushD. John Kennedy

4. The first official National Turkey pardon was given in ______.A. 1989B. 1492C. 1776D. 1887

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Pretend that you work for a newspaper. Write a news story tellingabout your trip to the White House to see this year's turkey. Makesure that the news report tells all about the turkey's pardon!

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday that is celebrated in many ways. Somepeople eat big meals. Others play or watch football. Some like to playgames as a family or watch parades. Create your own holiday. Whatwould it be called? When would it be? How would you celebrate it?