In this photograph, President Bill Clinton pats "Harry" the turkey before pardoning him during a ceremony in the Rose Garden. The National Turkey Federation presented the turkey, named after President Harry S. Truman, to Clinton for pardoning. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays as far back as the 1870s. However, the origin of the turkey pardon is said to have started with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, after he offered a clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the Ronald Reagan administration.
In this photograph, President Bill Clinton pats "Harry" the turkey before pardoning him during a ceremony in the Rose Garden. The National Turkey Federation presented the turkey, named after President Harry S. Truman, to Clinton for pardoning. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays as far back as the 1870s. However, the origin of the turkey pardon is said to have started with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, after he offered a clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the Ronald Reagan administration.
