Thanksgiving, one of the United State’s oldest holidays has an extensive history behind it. Of course, we all know the stories of Pilgrims and Native Americans gathering to feast but as all holidays do, Thanksgiving has developed in many different ways throughout the years. From the odd menu of the original Thanksgiving feast to towns named after turkey here's a list of odd Thanksgiving facts you may not of known.

 

Thanksgiving traces its roots back to Ancient Greek 

Hans Reniers, Unsplash
Hans Reniers, Unsplash
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Turns out that thanksgiving is not exclusively an American holiday. In ancient Greece, citizens would celebrate a holiday in honor of the God of agriculture, Demeter. The holiday took place in the fall between October and November in a month known as Pyanopsioin.

 

The Original Thanksgiving Menu Included Eels, Lobster, Goose, and Pigeon

Nick Fewings, Unsplash
Nick Fewings, Unsplash
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Unsurprisingly the original Thanksgiving menu did not consist of cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie. Original documents describing the foods eaten during the original meal included corn, venison, and wild turkeys. Archeologists' findings also uncovered that they may have eaten geese and wild pigeons. In relation to knowledge about Native American diets around that area, Archeologists agree that things such as eel, lobsters, clams, chestnuts, and walnuts.

 

The Original TV Dinner Came From A Thanksgiving Accident

 

Turns out that the ever-present TV dinner actually came from an inventory accident on Thanksgiving. In 1953 Swanson had ordered too much turkey on Thanksgiving, leaving the company with 260 tons of frozen turkey left over. A salesman named Gerry Swanson thought that it would be a great idea to put the turkey into trays that included other side dishes. The idea took off and the meals sold quite well. The idea spread to other companies and TV dinners became a popular American meal.

 

Around 46 Million Turkey Are Prepared Each Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving would not be the same without its staple dish, Turkey. It's no surprise that with the number of American households who celebrate Thanksgiving, 46 million turkeys are prepared and consumed each year. 

 

Canadians Celebrate Thanksgiving as Well

Jason Hafso, Unsplash
Jason Hafso, Unsplash
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Turns out that our Canadian neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving as well, but the holiday is celebrated a little differently than its American counterpart. Firstly, the holiday is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Secondly, the holiday focuses less on the Pilgrim’s meal with Native Americans and more on celebrating the yearly harvest.

 

There Are 3 Towns in the U.S.A. named Turkey

Google Images
Google Images
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Turns Out there are 3 towns in the U.S.A. named Turkey, one of them in Texas, another in Louisana, and another in North Carolina. I wonder what their favorite Thanksgiving dish is?

Thanksgiving Must Haves

You get to the store with your shopping list. You get home to cook and you forget one of these items. Don't let this happen to you this Thanksgiving.

These Are The Best Thanksgiving Specials of All Time

Here are the absolute best Thanksgiving TV specials, including some with a very Texas Twist.

 



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