The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation takes place annually around Thanksgiving time. As many know, this is when the president "pardons" a turkey. According to WhiteHouse.gov, "tales of spared turkeys date back to the Lincoln days," but it wasn't until 1989 that George H. W. Bush issued the first official pardon.
Either way, it's always appeared just a little awkward for those involved.
Roosevelt started the awkward president/turkey relationship when he was startled in 1938
Photo Credit: Life/Time
That ended fast
Photo Credit:
Truman had a tentative truce with the bird
Photo Credit: trumanlibrary.org
That ended swiftly
Photo Credit: trumanlibrary.org
Ike tried for peace
Photo Credit: poppowwow.com
It did not last long
Photo Credit: poppowwow.com
At all...
Photo Credit: Life/Time
Nom Nom Nom
Photo Credit: poppowwow.com
Kennedy was not really sure what to do & remained awkward
Photo Credit: jfklibrary.org/
Johnson engaged in a furious staring contest with the bird
Photo Credit: poppowwow.com
Nixon shook hands
Photo Credit: seattle98.wordpress.com
...and tried to be friends
Photo Credit: seattle98.wordpress.com
No use -- awkward.
Photo Credit: bonappetit.com
Gerald Ford frankly just looked awkward everywhere
Photo Credit: www.poppowwow.com
Reagan worked at the relationship
Photo Credit: Getty Images
No use
Photo Credit: https://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/reagan-turkey-pardoning_5.jpg
Awkward
Photo Credit: (Reagan Library, C43795-20)
Clinton formed a coalition
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Bush gave it his best
Photo Credit: AP
Awkward.
Photo Credit: Life/Time
Now Obama is trying his hand at the relationship
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Our hopes are not high
Photo Credit: Carrie Devorah / WENN.com
Follow Benny Johnson on Twitter: @bennyjohnson!