President Donald Trump continued centuries of White House tradition by pardoning two turkeys — Waddle and Gobble — during National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation ceremony. The roots of this ritual stretch back to Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, offering a fascinating look at how a custom that began as folklore evolved into a national spectacle.

History
Some say this tradition dates back to the 1800s, when President Abraham Lincoln is said to have spared a turkey's life after his son became fond of the bird. Before 1947, it was customary to gift a turkey to the U.S. President, though it is believed that not all of these birds were consumed. The origins of the modern 'pardon' remain unclear: some credit President John F. Kennedy for informally sparing a turkey in 1963, while others point to President George H. W. Bush, who made the ceremonial pardon an annual presidential tradition in 1989.