Biden pardons turkeys "Liberty" and "Bell"
A few days before the American Thanksgiving holiday, US President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys at a traditional ceremony. The two birds were thus spared the fate of many other birds on this holiday.
The turkeys that Biden saved from death on the South Lawn of the White House are called "Liberty" and "Bell". The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a symbol of American independence.
A joke for the birthday
The day of the turkey pardon this year coincided with the President's 81st birthday. Reflecting on his age, the good-humored Biden joked at the ceremony that this was the 76th time turkeys had been pardoned by the president. "I want you to know that I wasn't there the first time."
American families traditionally serve turkey at Thanksgiving. The pardoning of turkeys by the president has a long tradition. Since the 19th century, the presidential family has received a particularly sumptuous turkey before the holiday. According to the White House, President Abraham Lincoln (1861 to 1865) is said to have pardoned one of the animals for the first time at the request of his son. Under President George Bush senior, the turkey pardon became a fixed ritual in 1989.
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the USA next Thursday.
- Despite being 81, President Joe Biden jokingly mentioned that this was his 76th time pardoning turkeys at the ceremony, acknowledging he wasn't present for the initial event.
- In keeping with a long-established tradition, the US President pardons a turkey every year before Thanksgiving, with the custom dating back to the 19th century, when President Abraham Lincoln was said to have done so at his son's request.
- During the ceremony, Biden pardoned two turkeys named "Liberty" and "Bell," a nod to the famous Liberty Bell that symbolizes American independence.
- The government spared two turkeys, "Liberty" and "Bell," from being served as the main dish in American homes this Thanksgiving, further demonstrating the unique customs surrounding this annual celebration.
Source: www.dpa.com
