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Thanksgiving Trivia: 11 Facts You Should Know

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 11/21/2011 6:07 pm EST   Updated: 11/19/2012 10:06 am EST


Considering the times we've celebrated Thanksgiving, year after year, you would think that we would know everything there is to know about this food-centric holiday. But do you know what the pilgrims ate at their first Thanksgiving day meal, and who they ate it with? Do you have any idea where the strangely-beloved green bean casserole came from? After all, the pilgrims didn't have Campbell's cream of mushroom.

Take a moment to read through these bits of Turkey Day trivia so you can enjoy the feast a little bit more -- feeling a tad smarter and equipped with appropriate holiday conversation starter tidbits.

Know any interesting Thanksgiving trivia? Share it with us in the comments below.

Was There Turkey At The First Thanksgiving?
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There is no evidence that turkey was eaten at the first Thanksgiving, a three-day meal shared between the pilgrims and Wamponoag tribe in 1621. It is more likely that they ate venison and a lot of seafood.

Today, though, we sure eat a lot of turkey. According to a study done by the National Turkey Association, Americans ate 690 million pounds of turkey during Thanksgiving 2007. That is equal to the weight of the entire population of Singapore.
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Rodd D Kuhn
16 Fans
08:52 PM on 11/26/2011
TV does not use periods. It's an abbreviation of television, and not initials.
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John Milford PA
220 Fans
03:23 PM on 11/23/2011
I bet you never knew this about butterball http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/this_thanksgiving_beware_the_sharia_turkey.php
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bmwracer
In the LEFT lane.
148 Fans
09:40 AM on 11/23/2011
Wow, that green bean casserole looks pretty good.
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EatMeSF
44 Fans
 
12:01 AM on 11/23/2011
I remember that Frozen T.V. Dinner and it always had a pea in the cobbler.
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Dan-Snyder
5 Fans
05:49 PM on 11/22/2011
Okay, these start of good and then become really pushed. Was alcohol consumption on Thanksgiving really a fact we should all know?
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plantbasedpunk
live from the PHX
437 Fans
11:49 AM on 11/22/2011
It would be interesting to see someone try to mimic what the "First Thanksgiving" menu might have been.
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ecotopian
I am nerd, hear me geek
164 Fans
06:52 PM on 11/22/2011
They do it every year at Plimoth Plantation http://www.plimoth.org/dining-functions/thanksgiving-dining-special-events/harvest-dinner-pilgrims That's a link to the menu.
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amy devid
0 Fans
03:26 AM on 11/22/2011
Thanks for showing up such fabulous information. I like this post, keep writing and give informative post...!

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yappnmutt
humping legs for liberty
767 Fans
01:04 AM on 11/22/2011
turkey was probably served just because turkeys were available and anything available was eaten.
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gevan
big dubya
1305 Fans
06:35 PM on 11/21/2011
How is it that when you discuss football you only think of the pro-game? Colleges had played on Thanksgiving since the 1880s.
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plantbasedpunk
live from the PHX
437 Fans
11:48 AM on 11/22/2011
And broadcasted via telegraph.
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