‘Liberty’ and ‘Bell’, the turkeys that Biden has forgiven for Thanksgiving

This Monday, United States President Joe Biden presided over the traditional White House Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony, pardoning Liberty (Libertad, in Spanish), a 19.2 kilo turkey, and Bell. (Bell), weighing 19 kilos, which have received these names in homage to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania).

“These birds have a new appreciation for the word freedom,” Biden told his audience made up of the children of White House staff and Cabinet members, schoolchildren who attend schools in Washington and other families. «I hereby pardon Liberty and Bell. “Congratulations, birds,” said United States President Joe Biden.

President Biden unofficially kicks off the holiday season with the presidential turkey pardon, «I hereby pardon Liberty and Bell. All right. Congratulations, birds.» pic.twitter.com/ebktY21MX7

— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) November 20, 2023

The first presidential pardon of a turkey is believed to have been when Abraham Lincoln’s son asked for a pet turkey to be part of his Thanksgiving dinner. The first documented turkey pardon was granted by Democratic President John F. Kennedy in 1963, although this tradition was not followed each year as it is today.

WATCH LIVE: Biden pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey https://t.co/GZiCu1Pg4y pic.twitter.com/SL7TyuAGBR

— The Hill (@thehill) November 20, 2023

President Harry Truman was the first American leader to have his photo taken at the White House with a turkey he received from the National Turkey Federation and the National Poultry and Egg Board. The pardoning of turkeys became the norm in 1989, when Republican George HW Bush revived the tradition, now a date that is highlighted in red within the holidays celebrated at the White House.

A pardoning ceremony for this year’s turkeys that coincided with Biden’s 81st birthday.

We are delighted to share the names of the two Jennie-O® turkeys that will be pardoned by the President of the United States as we celebrate the 76th annual Thanksgiving presentation with National Turkey Federation. Drum roll please…Liberty and Bell are our turkeys! pic.twitter.com/G8j7hrATkA

— Jennie-O (@Jennieo) November 19, 2023

This year’s turkeys, which were sent to the White House by the Jennie-O Turkey store, hatched in July, will spend the rest of their lives at the University of Minnesota farm.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, the most notable holiday in the United States, because it is not religious and all Americans participate regardless of their creed.

Americans believe Thanksgiving is inspired by a 1621 harvest festival shared by the English settlers of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. An American holiday rich in legend and symbolism, where the traditional Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, it now serves as the official kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. .

#Liberty #Bell #turkeys #Biden #forgiven #Thanksgiving