Happy Thanksgiving!
This week, Jenny GK, trivia mastermind, dives into Thanksgiving fun facts and trivia. Meanwhile, Caitlin tries to avoid getting stumped by the answers! Together, they navigate a hilarious battle of knowledge and embarrassment!
I learned something new today and it made me laugh out loud. Education can be fun and hilarious! —Jenny GK
In this episode...
...discover fascinating Thanksgiving fun facts and trivia that will impress (weird out?) your friends and family at the dinner table, like
Sarah Josepha Hale and her influence on making Thanksgiving a national holiday,
the history behind the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade, and
President Coolidge's live raccoon, Rebecca, and the unique story behind her pardon.
Sources for this episode
Discover Thanksgiving Fun Facts
The episode delves into several fun facts about Thanksgiving with both historical context and light-hearted trivia. We unpack lesser-known details about this American holiday, like the length of the first Thanksgiving and the number of women present. We hope our unconventional exploration of this American holiday gives you a richer appreciation of the festivity.
No matter how embarrassing it may be, I embrace my lack of knowledge and find joy in discovering new facts. —CK
Sarah Josepha Hale
All hail Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman responsible for establishing Thanksgiving as a recognized national holiday. Despite her traditionally conservative (read: not feminist) views, Sarah’s tenacity in advocating for holiday recognition exhibits the power of determined individuals. Now if only she’d advocated for equal gender roles in the cooking and cleaning that day…
Just How Old Is The Oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Did you know that the tradition of Thanksgiving Day parades started in Philadelphia in 1920? This tradition began four years before the famous Macy’s Day parade in New York. Caitlin makes the parade an integral part of her Thanksgiving Day celebration—and cries watching it every year.
More Thanksgiving Fun Facts
Question | Answer |
​What do Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, and Taylor Swift all have in common with Thanksgiving? | According to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, they’re all descendants of passengers or crew on the Mayflower. |
Black Friday is the biggest day of the year for what trade profession? | ​Plumbers |
​How many calories on average are consumed, per person, at Thanksgiving dinner? | 4,500 |
What percent of Americans skip turkey on Thanksgiving? | About 12% |
​Who was the first president to pardon a turkey? | ​JFK; Daddy Bush made it an annual tradition |
​How many women were at the very first Thanksgiving celebration? | 5 |
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday!
Love,