Why do people eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

This historical meal would later become known as the first Thanksgiving. Although historians cannot say for sure which types of fowl were served up that day, a letter written by pilgrim Edward Winslow mentions a turkey hunting trip before the meal. Another theory attributes the Thanksgiving turkey to the Queen of England. read more

Another theory attributes the Thanksgiving turkey to the Queen of England. During the 16th century, a fleet of Spanish ships sunk on their way to attack England. According to legend, Queen Elizabeth received this news while eating dinner. read more

But it turns out those were tall tales we learned in elementary school. The pilgrims and natives probably stuffed themselves silly with venison, not turkey. So much for keeping that tradition alive! There were a few forces at work to make turkey the meat du jour for Thanksgiving. read more

Historians have found they ate some turkey then, but venison was the main meat eaten. Potatoes also weren’t eaten at that meal, because they weren’t grown in the area at the time. Pies were not on the menu because they weren’t yet growing wheat either. read more

There were a few forces at work to make turkey the meat du jour for Thanksgiving. Practically speaking, chicken and cows were more valuable to keep around for their eggs and milk than turkeys, which were farmed and hunted for their meat. Plus, one full-grown turkey was large enough to feed a family. read more