Surprising Facts and Trivia About Thanksgiving 2024

Thanksgiving is more than just a meal. It’s a holiday filled with history, traditions, and interesting trivia that makes it fun for family gatherings and conversations around the table. From the first Thanksgiving feast to quirky modern traditions, there's a lot to learn about this beloved holiday. Here’s a collection of Thanksgiving trivia to share with your family and friends, as well as ideas for bringing trivia games into your celebration.

A Look Back: The History Behind Thanksgiving Trivia

Thanksgiving trivia starts with the holiday’s history. Knowing how Thanksgiving began can give us a better appreciation of why we celebrate today.

• The First Thanksgiving: In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans gathered for a three-day feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This event, often called the first Thanksgiving, was about giving thanks for a successful harvest and sharing food with one another.
• A National Holiday: In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to encourage gratitude and unity during the Civil War. Thanksgiving was set on the last Thursday of November, later changed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to the fourth Thursday to extend the shopping season before Christmas.
• Modern Traditions: Today, Thanksgiving includes parades, like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which first took place in 1924. Macy’s introduced the famous giant balloons in 1927, with beloved characters that bring holiday cheer to millions.

Want to dive into other festive trivia? Check out our Top Holiday Games for Family Gatherings for more ways to entertain loved ones this season.

Thanksgiving Trivia Questions to Share Around the Table

Adding a little Thanksgiving trivia to your gathering can make it even more entertaining. Here are some fun questions to try with family and friends.

1. Which president officially started the turkey pardon tradition?

   • Answer: George H.W. Bush formally began the turkey pardon tradition in 1989, sparing one turkey each Thanksgiving.

2. How many pounds of turkey do Americans eat on Thanksgiving?

   • Answer: Americans consume around 46 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

3. Which U.S. state raises the most turkeys?

   • Answer: Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production, providing millions of turkeys each year.

4. How fast can a wild turkey run?

   • Answer: Wild turkeys can run up to 20 miles per hour and can fly short distances at speeds of about 55 miles per hour.

5. Which side dish was invented by a food company?

   • Answer: Green bean casserole was created by Campbell’s Soup in 1955 and quickly became a Thanksgiving favorite.

If you’re interested in more trivia ideas or holiday games, take a look at our guide on Best Thanksgiving Family Games for fun ways to keep guests entertained before and after dinner.

Fun Facts About Thanksgiving Foods

Thanksgiving is famous for its delicious dishes. Each one has a history and some surprising trivia that add flavor to the holiday:

• Turkey Facts: Male turkeys, or "toms," make the iconic “gobble” sound that we associate with Thanksgiving. Female turkeys, or "hens," communicate with softer clucks and chirps.
• Pumpkin Pie Tradition: Although pumpkin pie is now a Thanksgiving staple, it wasn’t part of the original feast. Early settlers used pumpkins in cooking but often boiled or roasted them. Today, more than 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten on Thanksgiving.
• Stuffing vs. Dressing: People in the northern U.S. often call it "stuffing," while southerners call it "dressing." Both dishes include similar ingredients and are enjoyed across the country as part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

For a unique twist on Thanksgiving recipes, check out our Guide to Creative Holiday Desserts to find delicious ways to add something new to your holiday table.

Thanksgiving Trivia Games and Activities

Thanksgiving trivia games are a great way to engage everyone at your gathering, from kids to adults. You can find trivia games that include Thanksgiving-themed questions on history, food, and even pop culture. Here are some popular options available online:

• The Thanksgiving Trivia Game Book: This book includes 100 questions that cover Thanksgiving history, food, and fun pop culture facts, making it easy to turn trivia into a family-friendly game.
• Thanksgiving Party Game Cards: A fun way to get everyone involved, these cards include word searches, matching games, and Thanksgiving-themed bingo. They’re perfect for entertaining both kids and adults.
• Truth or Turkey: This game features fun Thanksgiving facts mixed with myths, letting players guess what’s true and what’s “turkey.” It’s a simple, hilarious way to add laughs to your celebration.

These games are available online, including Amazon, and can add a fresh twist to your Thanksgiving gathering. They’re a fun way to share trivia while keeping everyone entertained.

Surprising Thanksgiving Records

Thanksgiving is also known for some impressive records. Here are a few surprising ones:

• Biggest Pumpkin Pie: In 2010, the world’s largest pumpkin pie was baked in New Bremen, Ohio. This pie measured over 20 feet wide and weighed more than 3,700 pounds!
• Most-Watched Parade: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is watched by millions each year, with over 3.5 million people attending in person and many more viewing from home. It’s one of the most popular Thanksgiving events.
• Turkey Pardoning: Every year, the President of the United States “pardons” a turkey, sparing it from being served for dinner. This tradition was formalized by George H.W. Bush but is thought to have started informally with Harry Truman.

Thanksgiving and the Start of the Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is also the gateway to the holiday season. After Thanksgiving, Black Friday marks the start of holiday shopping. Here are some interesting facts about Thanksgiving’s role in the holiday season:

• Black Friday Frenzy: Black Friday has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Originally, it was a way for stores to attract shoppers with big discounts after Thanksgiving.
• Cyber Monday: For those who prefer online shopping, Cyber Monday follows Black Friday and has quickly grown to include thousands of deals across the internet.

Wrapping Up: Make Thanksgiving Memorable with Fun Trivia

Thanksgiving trivia adds a fun, informative twist to the holiday. It’s a chance to learn more about Thanksgiving history, share laughs over turkey facts, and even compete in trivia games. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or a cozy Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving trivia can spark conversations, keep guests entertained, and make the day extra special.

Thanksgiving Trivia Tips:

• Host a trivia game: Split into teams and quiz each other on Thanksgiving history and fun facts.
• Watch the Macy’s Parade or a football game: Classic Thanksgiving traditions that add to the holiday spirit.
• Give thanks: Share what you’re grateful for this year, embracing the spirit of Thanksgiving.

From all of us at Holiday Best Buys, happy Thanksgiving! May your holiday be filled with family, friends, and fun trivia.