The tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving in the United States is often linked to the historical accounts of the Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal in the early 17th century. While it’s not definitively documented that turkey was served at the original feast in 1621, it is known that wild turkeys were native to the region and would have been available as a food source. Over time, turkey became the centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals for several reasons.
First, turkey is a large bird, making it suitable for feeding a group of people. Additionally, by the 19th century, turkey was more accessible and affordable compared to other meats, making it a practical choice for families. The bird’s association with harvest and abundance also made it a symbolic fit for a holiday centered around giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year.
The popularization of turkey as the traditional Thanksgiving main dish was further solidified by the influence of writers and cultural figures, such as Sarah Josepha Hale, who advocated for a national Thanksgiving holiday and included turkey in her writings about the feast. This cultural reinforcement helped establish turkey as the standard Thanksgiving meal centerpiece.
