Gobble gobble! Thanksgiving, a holiday rich in tradition and piled high with scrumptious dishes, is synonymous with a certain feathered friend – the turkey! Ever wonder how this bird strutted its way into our hearts and onto our Thanksgiving tables? Buckle up, folks; it’s time for a trip down memory lane, tracing the evolution of Turkey Takeover!
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The turkey’s humble beginnings
Everyone knows the celebration of Thanksgiving began in 1621 when the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the Wampanoag Indians shared a harvest feast. But did you know our current holiday spread differs a lot from this banquet?
The star of today’s Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey, was probably watching from the sidelines at the early feasts. Instead, the menu included a variety of game, primarily venison and wildfowl, reflecting the abundant wildlife in the New World.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Thanksgiving officially became an annual national holiday in the United States.
Two centuries to a turkey takeover
The turkey became the main dish of the Thanksgiving feast, largely due to the efforts of writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale, who tirelessly campaigned for its recognition. Hale often portrayed a roasted turkey as the highlight of the Thanksgiving dinner, and her writings popularized this image, firmly establishing it in the American consciousness. So there you have it, how the turkey became the star of the holiday’s culinary tradition.
The Thanksgiving feast has transformed alongside American society. As the nation grew, traditions evolved. The shift from wild game to turkey reflects standardization influenced by a growing awareness of the holiday. The journey of the turkey from bystander to symbol of the feast offers insight into the changes in American history and culture.
9:46 for me. Thanks!
My time was 9:35. Happy Thanksgiving!
8:06
My time was 6:28. The funny turkey face made me smile. Thanks
8:48
5:30
7:50 for me. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
6:28 for me this morning!
11:55 interesting shapes to this one.
11:46 This was a nice fun one to do. The trip down memory lane was nice.
Been a long time since I thought about it.
10:31