| Each November, the President of the United States is | | | | sweet potatoes (sometimes called yams) with |
| given a live turkey - and each year, he "pardons" it. | | | | marshmallows on top. Americans either love or hate |
| The turkey is never eaten, unlike most turkeys raised | | | | this dish. |
| in the U.S. Instead, it lives out its natural life at a park or | | | | "Biscuits" and "Gravy" were the names in 2004. |
| farm. | | | | Biscuits are unsweetened rolls made with baking |
| There are actually two of these turkeys chosen each | | | | powder (although the same word is used for cookies |
| year - the "National Thanksgiving Turkey" and an | | | | in British English). They can be used to soak up gravy |
| alternate. If the first turkey can't be at the pardon | | | | -- sauce made from meat drippings. |
| ceremony, the alternate goes instead. | | | | In 2003, the turkeys were called "Stars" and "Stripes" in |
| This year, the White House website does not give any | | | | honor of the U.S. flag. In 2002, there was one turkey, a |
| information about the pardoning of the turkeys. Maybe | | | | female named Katie (a nickname for Catherine). |
| everyone is too busy to update the site, as they get | | | | In 2001, shortly after the September 11th attacks, the |
| ready for the new President. However, we know the | | | | turkeys were named "Liberty" and "Freedom". |
| pardon is going to happen, as usual. St. Olaf College, in | | | | President Bush said, "Freedom is not here because |
| Minnesota, reports that one of its graduates, Paul Hill, is | | | | he's in a secure and undisclosed location." |
| giving the White House two turkeys from his farm. | | | | Some of the names that didn't make it over the years |
| In earlier years, the White House asked people to vote | | | | were: |
| online on names for the turkeys. That has not | | | | - Washington and Lincoln |
| happened this year, but probably the turkeys will be | | | | - Plymouth and Rock (after Plymouth Rock in |
| given names that go together. | | | | Massachusetts, where many believe the Pilgrims |
| Last year, for example, the turkeys were named | | | | landed) |
| "May" and "Flower". This recalls the Mayflower, the | | | | - Democracy and Freedom (these lost to |
| ship used by the Pilgrims who celebrated the first | | | | Marshmallow and Yam) |
| Thanksgiving Day in the land that became the U.S. In | | | | - Lewis and Clark (after two early American |
| 2006, they were names "Flyer" and "Fryer". Although | | | | explorers) |
| these sound like good names for birds that are meant | | | | - Pumpkin and Cranberry (more Thanksgiving foods) |
| to be eaten, turkeys can't fly. And not many people fry | | | | This year's turkey pardon will take place on November |
| their Thanksgiving turkeys. | | | | 26th. We may have to wait until then to learn the |
| In 2005, the turkeys were called "Marshmallow" and | | | | turkeys' names. |
| "Yam". This recalls a traditional Thanksgiving dish, | | | | (To read the St. Olaf News story click here. |