At Thanksgiving 1913, a turkey-come-lately from Kentucky shared a few minutes of fame with the fine-feathered Rhode Islander. Soon after, in December, Horace Vose died, thus ending an era. By 1914, the opportunity to give a turkey to a president was open to everyone, and poultry gifts were frequently touched with patriotism, partisanship, and glee.

In 1989, President Bush quipped: “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.” It has been an annual tradition ever since.

President John F. Kennedy laughs with officials at the presentation of a Thanksgiving turkey by the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 19, 1963. President Kennedy …

President Truman offers a turkey, presented to him by the National Egg and Poultry Board, a reprieve in the White House Rose Garden. November 16, 1949.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower feeds a cranberry to a turkey he received from the Turkey Foundation on November 4, 1954, at the White House. Date of Work November 4, 1954

Sen. Everett Dickson and representatives from the poultry industry and farm organizations present a turkey to President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 16, 1967. Date of Work November 16, 1967

Nov 19, 2015 · “President and President-Elect Both to Get Free Turkey,” The Baltimore Sun, November 17, 1920, 1. “Thanksgiving Gobblers Battle in Grounds of White House,” The Baltimore Sun, November 23, 1920, 2. “Harding Turkey May Be Subject of Motor Record,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 23, 1922, 9.

President John F. Kennedy pardoned a turkey meant for his table in 1963, as did some of his successors on occasion. Later during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the pardon became part of the turkey presentation ceremony in the Rose Garden. President George H.W. Bush made it an annual tradition by pardoning every turkey during his administration.

Nov 14, 1990 · President Bush participates in the presentation and pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House. His grandson, Sam Leblond (foreground) pet the turkey during the ceremony.

In this photograph President John F. Kennedy laughs with officials at the presentation of a Thanksgiving turkey by the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board in the Rose Garden of the White House. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays as far back as the 1870s.