These are Peach and Blossom, the turkeys pardoned by Joe Biden: How much do they weigh, and what farm are they from?
As is tradition every year, this Monday is the turkey pardoning ceremony, prior to Thanksgiving. These are the birds that Biden will pardon.
This Thursday, millions of families and friends will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a traditional dinner in which turkey is the main star. Around 46 million turkeys end up as the main dish on American tables.
As part of the Thanksgiving tradition, the President of the United States performs a ceremony to grant pardon to one or two birds, saving them from their cruel fate on a Thanksgiving table and allowing them to live out the rest of their natural lives on a farm.
The tradition of turkey pardons as we know it today originated under George H.W. Bush in 1989, according to the White House Historical Association, when the then-president claimed that the turkey he was given was not intended for anyone’s table as a group of animal rights activists protested nearby.
You may also like: Why is the president pardoning a turkey? The origins of the White House Thanksgiving tradition
These are Peach and Blossom, the turkeys pardoned by Joe Biden in 2024: How much do they weigh, and what farm are they from?
In his final year of orchestrating the ceremony, President Biden has chosen to pardon two birds: Peach and Blossom, weighing 40 and 41 pounds, respectively. Both turkeys were born in July in Northfield, Minnesota, and were raised on a farm by John Zimmerman, president of the National Turkey Federation, and his 9-year-old son, Grant, USA Today reported.
Once the turkeys were pardoned, Biden used his final pardon speech to thank the crowd for his four years at the helm of the United States:
“This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It is also my last time I speak here as your President during this season, and give thanks and gratitude. Let me say to you, it’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” the president said.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.