President Biden Greets Guests at 2023 Turkey Pardon Ceremony

This photograph of the President Joseph R. Biden greeting guests at the 2023 turkey pardon ceremony was taken by Matthew D’Agostino on November 20, 2023 on the South Lawn of the White House. President Joseph R. Biden oversaw the ceremony alongside Steve Lykken, chairman of the National Turkey Federation (NTF), and Jennie-O Turkey Store vice president Jose Rojas. During the ceremony, President Biden formally “pardoned” the official National Thanksgiving Turkey, Liberty, and the alternate, Bell. Liberty and Bell were raised by Jennie-O in Willmar, Minnesota. After the ceremony, the turkeys were transferred to the University of Minnesota to be looked after and cared for the remainder of their lives. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays since the 1870s. The origin of the turkey pardon, however, dates to 1863—when President Abraham Lincoln offered clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the George H. W. Bush administration.