Gallery: Presidents, turkeys and tradition

Monday, November 23, 2015 - 05:53 StudyHall.Rocks

Each year, the president's Thanksgiving dinner arrives with ceremony -- and, at times, mishap. In recent years, it has become tradition to pardon the turkey.

President Ronald Reagan confronted a rambunctious gobbler. Image: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Abraham Lincoln and son, Tad, who demanded that his father pardon a Christmas turkey. Photo: Mathew Brady, via National Archives.
President Harry Truman was the first president given a live turkey. Image: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.
President John F. Kennedy agreed to let the turkey live. Image: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
President Lyndon Johnson looked over the gobbler. Image: National Archives.
President Richard Nixon received a turkey. Image: National Archives.
President Gerald Ford wanted a close-up look. Image: White House Historical Association.
Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter, and first lady Rosalynn Carter took part in the turkey presentation. Image: National Archives.
President George H.W. Bush was the first to formally pardon the turkey.
President Bill Clinton attended the turkey presentation. Image: White House Historical Association.
President George W. Bush and visitors looked over the bird. Image: WhiteHouse.gov.
President Barack Obama and daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, checked out the turkeys in 2014. Image: White House.gov.