Photo: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images News / Getty Images
In a longstanding White House tradition, President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, on Monday (November 25). The Minnesota birds, weighing 41 and 40 pounds respectively, were spared from becoming part of a Thanksgiving feast and will now live out their lives as "agricultural ambassadors" in their home state.
The pardoning ceremony, which President Biden described as the "official start of the holiday season here in Washington," was attended by a crowd of 2,500 on the South Lawn. The President also acknowledged that this was his last time participating in the event as President, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
"It's been the honor of my life. I'm forever grateful," he told the crowd.
The turkeys were prepared for their moment in the spotlight by young trainers, including nine-year-old Grant Zimmerman, son of the National Turkey Federation Chairman, John Zimmerman. The birds were exposed to lights, cameras, and a variety of music to ensure they remained calm during the ceremony.
The pardoned turkeys were named after the Delaware state flower, the Peach Blossom. President Biden humorously shared that Peach lived by the motto "keep calm and gobble on," while Blossom's mantra was "no foul play, just Minnesota nice."
The tradition of pardoning turkeys dates back to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, although the first official presidential pardon was given by President George H.W. Bush in 1989. Since then, at least one turkey has been pardoned each year in a ceremony filled with light-hearted humor and puns.