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Thanksgiving turkey pardons: A history of the presidential tradition
The annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation has not always been a pardon. In fact, the tradition of 'pardoning' a turkey only began in 1989. Before that, turkeys were presented to presidents, but they weren't necessarily spared.
Obama Turkey Pardon
In 2009, President Barack Obama pets a turkey, Courage, on the North Portico of the White House in Washington.
