President John F. Kennedy is credited with administering the first pardon
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
President Biden recently participated in a Thanksgiving tradition, pardoning turkeys from being the centerpieces of a family holiday meal.
On Nov. 20, while celebrating his 81st birthday, the president pardoned Liberty and Bell, two turkeys from Jennie-O in Willmar, Minn.
“Even though our Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell are from Minnesota – they’re named after the famous Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania,” the president said during the pardoning ceremony. “And today, they have a new appreciation for the words “Let Freedom Ring.”
Liberty hatched on July 10, weighs 42.5 pounds and enjoys honeycrisp apples. Bell also hatched on July 10. He weighs 42.1 pounds, and his favorite snack is a salted nut roll, the White House’s X account says.
The turkeys were raised in a controlled environment to ensure their safety and comfort.
“They were raised like all of our turkeys, protected, of course, from weather extremes and predators, free to walk about with constant access to water and feed,” Steve Lykken, chairman of the National Turkey Federation and president of the Jennie-O Turkey Store, told The Associated Press.
Liberty and Bell will live out their days at the University of Minnesota.
The National Turkey Federation first presented the U.S. President with a turkey in 1947 under President Truman.
That presentation came in response to a movement from President Truman’s administration promoting meatless days in an effort to conserve grain for foreign aid campaigns.
2023 marks the 76th year of the turkey pardoning tradition.
President John F. Kennedy is credited with administering the first turkey pardoning in 1963.
Despite a sign around the turkey’s neck stating, “Good Eatin’, Mr. President!” President Kennedy stated “let’s keep him going,” The White House Historical Association says.
President George H. W. Bush formalized the tradition in 1989.
The president assured visitors, nearby animal rights activists, “and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy – he’s granted a presidential pardon as of right now – and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”
Presidents George W. Bush and Obama have participated in the most turkey pardoning ceremonies with eight each.