President Biden pardons Liberty and Bell, two lucky turkeys: How the tradition began

WASHINGTON − Liberty and Bell will live to see another day.

President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys from a family farm in Minnesota − who got their names from the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia − as part of a long White House tradition ahead of Thanksgiving.

"These birds have a new appreciation of the words 'let freedom ring,'" Biden said, adding they traveled 1,000 miles to get to Washington and have committed to being "productive members of society" at their new home at the University of Minnesota.

"I hereby pardon Liberty and Bell," Biden said.

It marked the 76th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey Celebration, which President John F. Kennedy turned into a playful ritual sparing two lucky birds from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

Democratic and Republican presidents alike have granted pardons to fortunate turkeys, but no, they haven't actually been convicted of any crimes. Biden's reprieve of Liberty and Bell follow turkey pardons for Peanut Butter and Jelly in 2021, and Chocolate and Chip during last year’s lighthearted ceremony.

But when did this festivity start? And which American president was the first to extend his pardon powers to Thanksgiving poultry? Here's what you need to know.

What does it mean to pardon a turkey?

Each year, two birds – the official Thanksgiving turkey and an alternate – are selected and sent to Washington, where the president spares them from being served alongside the stuffing and cranberry sauce.

This year, the pair came from Willmar, Minnesota.

Ahead of meeting the president, the birds receive the celebrity treatment, including a stay in the capital’s luxury Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel.

And after their pardoning, the turkeys are relocated to a farm and left to live out the rest of their days unharmed.

'Keep him going': JFK was the first to pardon a turkey

Turkeys were popular Thanksgiving gifts to the White House for decades. President Harry Truman in November 1947 was the first president to receive a Thanksgiving turkey from the Poultry and Egg National Board as a gift.

Kennedy in 1963 became the first president on record to extend Thanksgiving clemency, telling attendees at that year’s official turkey presentation, “Let’s keep him going."

Which president made turkey pardoning an annual event?

Kennedy set the pardon precedent, and the act became a norm during President Ronald Reagan’s administration in the 1980s, according to the White House Historical Association.

But the tradition was formally established by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

“Let me assure you and this fine tom turkey,” Bush said during the ceremony that year as animal rights activists picketed near the White House, “that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Turkey pardoning 2023: Joe Biden carries on Thanksgiving tradition