© Getty Images

The first Thanksgiving was reported in a letter -

The first reference to Thanksgiving can be found in a letter by colonist Edward Winslow, who later became Governor of Plymouth Colony.

© Getty Images

Thanksgiving wasn't always celebrated on the same date -

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be held on the last Thursday of November. But then, in 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it to a week earlier, but many states didn't comply. It was not until 1941 that Congress fixed the date to the fourth Thursday of November.

© Getty Images

One president didn't recognize Thanksgiving -

Thomas Jefferson didn't declare a Thanksgiving proclamation. Back then the date was celebrated with fasting and prayer, which he believed to be expressions of religion inherited from the old British colonists.

© Getty Images

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is almost a century old! -

The famous annual Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924. Up until 1927, the parade used to include real animals from the Central Park Zoo, including bears, monkeys, and elephants! These were, however, replaced by giant balloons.

© Getty Images

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade -

Not only were there no size regulations for balloons, but they were also let go once the parade was over. In 2020, 20.7 million Americans watched the parade on TV.

© Getty Images

The first presidential turkey pardon had nothing to do with Thanksgiving -

Back in 1863, Abraham Lincoln pardoned a turkey intended for his family's Christmas dinner. The association with Thanksgiving came later.

© Getty Images

A town once postponed Thanksgiving... -

...because of pumpkin pie! In 1705, Colchester in Connecticut postponed Thanksgiving because their molasses shipment was affected by foul weather. No molasses meant no pumpkin pie, so they postponed the holiday!

© Getty Images

The first Thanksgiving menu was very different -

Many food staples weren't available during the first Thanksgiving, including potatoes and cranberry sauce. The first Thanksgiving menu likely included typical indigenous foods, such as lobster, mussels, and venison, among others. Not bad!

© Getty Images

Plumbers are very busy on Black Friday -

This a very busy day for these professionals. Apparently, lots of people clog their sinks on Thanksgiving!

© Getty Images

The Thanksgiving turducken comes from New Orleans -

The creator of the dish is still unknown, but it was popularized by Chef Paul Prudhomm, who served it at his restaurant, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, in New Orleans.

© Getty Images

'Jingle Bells' was written for Thanksgiving -

Yes, the famous Christmas carol written by James Lord Pierpont was supposed to be performed by his father's Sunday school class on Thanksgiving.

© Public Domain

The “Mother of Thanksgiving” also wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb” -

In 1863, Sarah Hale, also known as the "Mother of Thanksgiving," convinced Abraham Lincoln to instate Thanksgiving across the country, instead of just being celebrated in the Northeast. But Hale also goes down in history for writing the famous song 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.'

© Getty Images

Cracking wishbones goes back a long way -

This tradition goes way back to the ancient Etruscans (in pre-Roman Italy). Though they snapped chicken bones!

© Getty Images

The ultimate Thanksgiving destination -

Orlando, Florida, is America's favorite destination during this time of year. Followed by Anaheim, California, and New York City, New York.

© Getty Images

There were lots of Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving -

In fact, it is likely that there were more Native Americans than colonists at the first Thanksgiving.

© Getty Images

There was no pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving -

There were no baking ovens at Plimoth Plantation, so hence no pumpkin pie either!

© Getty Images

Wine is the drink of choice on Thanksgiving -

According to a survey, about 75% of Americans over 21 drink wine with their Thanksgiving meal.

© Getty Images

Astronauts in space still work on Thanksgiving -

There are no days off when you're in space! Still, astronauts do manage to eat a Thanksgiving meal that tastes like home. It includes turkey, mashed potatoes, and candied yams.

© Getty Images

Americans really eat a lot of turkey on Thanksgiving -

According to the National Turkey Federation, Americans consumed 5.26 billion pounds (2.38 billion kg) of turkey in 2020.

© Getty Images

The Butterball Turkey Hotline answers an absurd number of calls every year -

Operators at the Butterball Turkey Hotline are available to answer any questions you might have about your Thanksgiving turkey. These professionals answer over 100,000 calls a year!

© Getty Images

The turkey state -

Minnesota raises more turkeys than any other state in the US.

© Getty Images

Turkey is not just an animal or a country's name -

There are, in fact, a few places in the US with the same name: Turkey, Texas (pictured); Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Creek, Louisiana.

© Shutterstock

Thanksgiving dinner is really caloric -

On average, Americans consume somewhere between 3,000 to 4,000 calories during Thanksgiving.

© Getty Images

This football team play every Thanksgiving -

Barring a few exceptions during World War II, the Detroit Lions have played every Thanksgiving since 1934!

© Getty Images

The Pilgrims’ relationship with the Wampanoag tribe -

The white men who came before the Pilgrims did a lot of damage, so the tribe was weary of them. But they made a deal: exchanging local knowledge on how to farm the land, and in exchange offering the tribe European weapons.

© Getty Images

The origins of the green bean casserole -

The recipe was developed by a Campbell’s Soup Company's employee named Dorcas Reilly. It was originally called Green Bean Bake.

© Getty Images

And the best Thanksgiving movie of all time is... -

A cartoon! According to critics at Rotten Tomatoes, the best Thanksgiving movie of all time is 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving' (1973).

© Getty Images

The first Turkey Trot -

The first Turkey Trot was held in Buffalo, New York, in 1896. Only six runners participated!

© Getty Images

Airline tickets are very expensive the Sunday after Thanksgiving -

This is probably the most expensive time of the year to travel. Returning home earlier or staying over for a couple more days will save you some serious money.

© Getty Images

The first TV dinners were inspired by Thanksgiving -

In 1953, Swanson came up with the first TV dinners as a way to capitalize on the tons of unsold turkey they had in stock. Needless to say, these were a hit!

© Getty Images

Here's how to avoid Thanksgiving traffic -

According to Waze, the best way to escape the dreaded Thanksgiving traffic is to travel on the day itself, not the night before.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (National Turkey Federation)

See also: How to survive Thanksgiving with your family

© Getty Images