President Joe Biden pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey Peach, alongside Chair of the national turkey federation John Zimmerman and his son Grant during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Peach, and the alternate turkey Blossom, were raised in Northfield, Minn., and continue a White House tradition going back to the Truman administration in 1947.
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President Joe Biden pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey Liberty during a ceremony at the White House on November 20, 2023 in Washington, DC with Jose Rojas, left, Vice-President of Jennie-O Turkey Store, and Steve Lykken, middle, Chairman of the National Turkey Federation. The 2023 National Thanksgiving Turkey Liberty, and its alternate Bell, were raised in Willmar, Minnesota.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
President Joe Biden pardons the 2022 National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 21, 2022.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Turkey wranglers Peter Gruhl (L) and Leslee Oden release national Thanksgiving turkeys ‘Corn’ and ‘Cob’ from their carriers as they are presented to journalists in the Grand Ballroom of the Willard InterContinental Hotel November 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. The birds, raised by Iowa turkey farmers Ron and Susie Kardel, will be pardoned ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday by President Donald Trump in a ceremony on Tuesday in the Rose Garden at the White House.
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U.S. President Donald Trump gives a presidential “pardon” to the National Thanksgiving Turkey Butter during the traditional event with first lady Melania Trump in the Rose Garden of the White House November 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. The turkey pardon was made official in 1989 under former President George H.W. Bush, who was continuing an informal tradition started by President Harry Truman in 1947. Following the presidential pardon, the 47-pound turkey which was raised by farmer Wellie Jackson of Clinton, North Carolina, will reside at his new home, ‘Gobbler’s Rest,’ at Virginia Tech.
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U.S. President Donald Trump pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey, ‘Drumstick,’ with National Turkey Federation Chairman Carl Wittenburg and his family in the Rose Garden at the White House November 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the presidential pardon, the 40-pound White Holland breed which was raised by Wittenburg in Minnesota, will then reside at his new home, ‘Gobbler’s Rest,’ at Virginia Tech.
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The National Thanksgiving Turkey, ‘Tot,’ flaps its wings after being pardoned by President Obama during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House on Nov. 23, 2016, in Washington, DC. The President celebrated the 69th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. Hatched and raised in Iowa, the 2016 National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will retire to ‘Gobblers Rest’ at Virginia Tech.
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Ira Brister, Foster Farms’ Vice President of Turkey, does his best to keep a handle on one of the twenty-five turkeys up for selection during the selection process of the official National Turkey Thursday morning at the Foster Farms’ Wellsford Ranch where a flock of twenty-five presidential turkey candidates were hatched and raised. From those twenty-five, one was selected and presented to President Obama at the White House Rose Garden where it received an official pardon.
Justin Kase Conder, For USA TODAY
President Obama gestures with his daughters Sasha (2nd R) and Malia (R) in the Rose Garden of the White House during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon Nov. 21, 2012.
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President Obama (R) stands alongside a turkey named Courage as his daughters Malia (2nd R) and Sasha (C), and National Turkey Federation Chairman Walter Pelletier (2nd L), pet the bird during the annual turkey pardoning ceremony for Thanksgiving on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 25, 2009.
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Cobbler is seen before being pardoned by President Obama ahead of the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon on Nov. 21 , 2012 at the White House.
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U.S. President George W. Bush pardons “May”, the 2007 National Thanksgiving Turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington November 20, 2007.
Jason Reed, Reuters
President Bush meets ‘Flyer’, the turkey and handler Lynn Nutt (L), after announcing the official Thanksgiving pardon for the bird on Nov. 22, 2006.
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U.S. President George W. Bush (2nd R) gathers with school children and turkey farmer Jim Trites (R) during the annual presentation of the national Thanksgiving turkey, named Marshmallow, in the Eisenhower executive office building near the White House in Washington, November 22, 2005. The annual presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President has become a traditional holiday ritual and this year’s turkey will be sent to Disneyland in California to be the honorary grand marshall in their annual Thanksgiving Day parade on November 24.
Jason Reed, Reuters
Turkey named “Liberty” surprises President George W. Bush at the annual turkey pardoning event at the White House, three days ahead of Thanksgiving, November 19, 2001. The fortunate bird will spend the rest of his days on a farm in Virginia. With the president are turkey industry representatives Jeff Radford (L) and Stuart Proctor.
Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS
White House correspondents attempt to interview the traditional Thanksgiving turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House November 24, 1998 shortly after the turkey was pardoned by President Clinton. The tradition dates back to President Harry Truman when he received a Thanksgiving turkey from the National Turkey Federation.
Larry Downing, REUTERS
President Clinton looks on as he is presented with the annual Thanksgiving turkey from Andy Rutledge, November 22, 1995 in the Rose Garden. Clinton said of the turkey, which will be spared from being turned into a holiday treat, “There are so many turkeys in Washington, I should pardon at least one.” National Turkey Federation President Stuart Proctor (L) and Chairman Ken Rutledge watch the action from behind
Win McNamee, Reuters
President Ronald Reagan hams it up on Nov. 18, 1988 in Washington as he is presented a turkey at the White House.
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President Gerald Ford is presented with a Thanksgiving turkey by the National Turkey Federation at the White House, Washington, DC, Nov. 20, 1975.
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President Lyndon Johnson receives the traditional Thanksgiving turkey on Nov. 19, 1964 at the White House in Washington.
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President John F. Kennedy, at the pardoning of the turkey ceremony, at the White House in 1962.
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