Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and gratitude, but there’s more to the holiday than turkey and football. As we gather to celebrate, let’s explore some lesser-known and fun facts about Thanksgiving that might surprise you—and just maybe spark some conversation at the dinner table!

The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t Just Turkey

While turkey has become the star of today’s Thanksgiving meal, the first celebration in 1621 likely featured a different spread. Historical records show the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people dined on deer, fish, shellfish, and seasonal vegetables. It wasn’t until later that turkey took center stage as a Thanksgiving staple.

Thanksgiving Inspired TV Dinners

In 1953, Swanson overestimated how much turkey it would need for the holiday season and ended up with 260 tons of extra meat. The solution? The company packaged it into meals with cornbread dressing, peas, and potatoes—and thus, the TV dinner was born! Now, we not only get Thanksgiving once a year, but also in ready-to-eat meals year-round.

The Turkey Pardon Is a Modern Tradition

You may have heard of the President of the United States “pardoning” a turkey every year, but this tradition is newer than you might think. Although stories claim Abraham Lincoln spared a turkey in 1863, the official National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon as we know it began in 1989 under President George H. W. Bush. Each year, one lucky bird earns a reprieve, avoiding a trip to the dinner table.

Thanksgiving and Football: A Century-Long Love Affair

Football and Thanksgiving are inseparable in many American households. The tradition began in 1876, when Yale and Princeton played on Thanksgiving. The NFL later took up the tradition, with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys becoming permanent fixtures in the Thanksgiving Day lineup.

More Than One Day of Thanks

Thanksgiving isn’t just an American tradition—Canada also celebrates it, albeit on the second Monday in October. Additionally, several other countries, like Liberia and Japan, hold their own celebrations of gratitude, often tied to harvest festivals.

As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, take a moment to enjoy not only the food but also the stories and traditions that make the holiday so special. And, of course, no celebration is complete without a glass of Coca-Cola—a perfect way to toast the season of gratitude!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company!