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Thanksgiving Turkey Videos. Our turkey visual is a fun way to welcome everyone to Thanksgiving worship services. Video, PowerPoint, graphics. English and Spanish.
Thanksgiving Turkey Videos. Our turkey visual is a fun way to welcome everyone to Thanksgiving worship services. Video, PowerPoint, graphics. English and Spanish.
Turkeys became closely associated with Thanksgiving in the United States due to a blend of practicality, tradition, and historical assumptions. While there is no conclusive evidence that turkeys were served at the famous 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, wild turkeys were abundant in New England, making them an accessible and nutritious food source. Early written records mention “fowl” as part of the meal, which likely included ducks, geese, and possibly wild turkeys. Over time, however, the image of the turkey at Thanksgiving evolved as turkeys were domesticated and grew in popularity, particularly among colonial American farmers who found them easier to raise than other livestock.
By the 19th century, the turkey had cemented its place in Thanksgiving celebrations. Sarah Josepha Hale, often referred to as the “Mother of Thanksgiving,” played a significant role in popularizing turkey as the centerpiece of the holiday meal. Through her editorials and letters, she promoted Thanksgiving as a national holiday centered on gratitude and family, with turkey as the main dish. Turkeys were large enough to feed families gathered for the holiday and were typically ready for slaughter in the fall, making them an ideal choice. The tradition gained further momentum when President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, cementing the holiday’s place in American culture with turkey at its heart.
The association between Thanksgiving and turkey continued to strengthen in popular culture, largely thanks to literature and media. In the 20th century, Thanksgiving-themed books, magazines, and television specials often depicted families gathering around a table with a turkey at the center. This symbolism reinforced the turkey as a Thanksgiving staple. Today, turkey remains synonymous with the holiday, with Americans consuming around 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving, a testament to its longstanding connection to this day of gratitude and reflection.
