Turkey on Thanksgiving: Why Americans Eat This Bird.

According to Vox: Thanksgiving did not quite unfold the way we often imagine it in school, with children in paper hats playing and giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and new friends.

But those scenes that we often depict remain far from the truth. Likely, the Wampanoag tribe was attempting to establish an alliance, not just befriend. And what about the food? Was turkey present?

According to Troy Bickham, a history professor and director of the Center for Humanities Research in Texas, the answer is no.

“That’s the short answer,” he told Vox. “The long answer is—we don’t know. We have two eyewitness accounts describing Thanksgiving, and they weren’t interested in describing the food. The only thing we know for sure is that they ate venison.”

So if turkey was not on the table hundreds of years ago, why has it become an integral part of modern Thanksgiving? Bickham discusses this in a new episode of Explain It to Me — a Vox podcast. Here’s a short excerpt from our conversation with him.

When did turkey become the main dish of Thanksgiving?

The main reason is that turkey is an inexpensive food. This large festive bird is quite common, and there are plenty of them; in northern Maine, you can see them everywhere. For the festive table, it would be a relatively affordable and simple choice.

Every agrarian society has its harvest festival. With the Incas, Mayans, ancient Israelites, and many others—everyone gives thanks for a successful harvest or prays for enough food to last through the winter.

The holiday is celebrated in various corners of the country. In different states, Thanksgiving is celebrated on different days, but it only becomes a national holiday during the Civil War—thanks to Sarah Hale, the author of the poem 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.'

“Did she write that?”

Yes, she did. She was a children’s author and editor of Godey’s, a popular women’s magazine. In the mid-19th century, she and a few others were looking for days to celebrate traditional family values. The idea of Thanksgiving as a holiday of unity became relevant against the backdrop of political tension in the country.

She launched a campaign urging lawmakers to make it a national holiday. Progress only began during the Civil War when Abraham Lincoln signed it into law in 1863. That is when the modern conception of Thanksgiving began to take shape.

Thanksgiving coincides with the beginning of food production industrialization, and since then, companies began actively marketing turkeys. Side dishes became popular during the Great Depression when meat became more expensive, and pumpkin pies and potato casseroles started appearing on tables.

“You need a lot of sugar to make them tasty.”

It has become distinctly American to organize food supplies to support this holiday.

Macy’s also became part of the Thanksgiving celebration, kicking off the shopping season. Christmas previously started with this parade.

Why has the image of the festive turkey become so entrenched?

This image looks very appealing. According to the Food and Drug Administration, about one-fifth of all turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving.

“Wow!”

Although I’m not a big fan of turkey, I must admit that when someone brings out that huge bird, it really is impressive.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings people together for a common celebration without religious undertones. Every culture can give thanks for food, family, or friends, and then together enjoy a meal, relax, and watch football.