We are close to Thanksgiving Day, which in the US this year is on Thursday, 24 November. Thanksgiving is a joyous family festival which originated in North America from a mix of European and Native American traditions. Native Americans, like Europeans, used to celebrate the end of the harvest season. When the settlers first arrived in the Americas, they brought their own festivals from Europe, to celebrate their safe voyage, peace and a good harvest.

Thanksgiving is also called Turkey Day, because this bird is an essential part of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. There is a ceremony, called National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, that takes place at the White House every year. During this event, the President of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey, usually of the Broad Breasted White variety. Generally, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board are involved. Since 1989, when the first Thanksgiving of President George H. W. Bush took place, the president has granted the turkey a “presidential pardon” and thus spared the bird from being slaughtered.