A tradition for turkeys: Another presidential pardon

"They paid their dues, time after time. They did their sentence, but committed no crime. A president, not a Queen, will again inexplicably "pardon" two turkeys, with no criminal record, in one of the strangest and most misunderstood of American traditions. Let's clear some of it up: This year's Turkeys are Gobble and Waddle After the ceremony at the White House, the birds are headed back to the Tar Heel state, where they will spend whatever days they have left at"

"A long history ... of sending turkeys to presidents People have been sending turkeys to presidents since the late 19th century, but for decades, they were always meant to be eaten. Lots of shenanigans took place, like the college student from Texas A&M in 1940 who hitchhiked 2,000 miles to Washington, D.C., with a turkey from Cuero, Texas to give to the president. He stayed in a hotel that let the bird stay in a bathroom until a maid let it out."

Two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle received ceremonial pardons and will return to North Carolina State University to live out their remaining days. The practice of sending turkeys to presidents dates to the late 19th century and originally intended the birds for consumption. Anecdotes include a 1940 Texas A&M student who hitchhiked with a turkey to present to the president. The National Turkey Federation began formalizing the presentation in 1947 after protesting Poultryless Thursdays, culminating in Harry S. Truman's 47-pound gift. The federation now funds the ceremonial birds, which appear in White House photo opportunities and brief hotel stays before retirement.

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