With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the White House tradition of pardoning the turkeys took place on Nov 20. The tradition also coincided with President Joe Biden’s 81st birthday.
Biden is the oldest serving President in United States history.
Joking about his birthday he said, “By the way, it’s my birthday today. I just want you to know, it’s difficult turning 60. This is the 76th anniversary of this event, and I want you to know I wasn’t there at the first one.”
The tradition of pardoning the turkey has been going on at the White House for the last seven decades. The two animals are named Liberty and Bell and are from Minnesota.
Pardon the Turkey
The event was a lighthearted one with Biden making lots of jokes and witty quips.
He said that the birds had overcome “some tough odds” to get to the White House.
Biden said that the turkeys love Honeycrisp apples, ice hockey, a thousand lakes and the Mall of America – all things the Midwest state is famous for.
Minnesota is also called the land of 10,000 lakes.
High-profile attendance
The event was attended by hundreds of people, including Cabinet secretaries and White House staff as it took place at the South Lawn of the White House.
Biden’s grandchildren Maisy Biden and Beau Biden watched from the sidelines and Beau petted one of the turkeys after the event.
Not long after First Lady Jill Biden also accepted delivery of a 18.5 foot Christmas tree. The Fraser fir tree was from the Cline Church Nursery in Fleetwood, North Carolina.
It will be featured in the Blue Room and will be the official White House Christmas tree.
Mar-a-Lago Fraud Admission Leads to Emotional Outpouring from Ex-Trump Org Executive
Cover Photo: Wikipedia