60 Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers
Every question has four choices. The correct answer is in bold, with a short note you can read aloud.
Thanksgiving history trivia
From the Mayflower to Lincoln, the real story behind the holiday.
In what year did the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag share the harvest feast that is often called the first Thanksgiving?
- A. 1621
- B. 1492
- C. 1607
- D. 1776
Answer: A. 1621. The feast took place in autumn 1621 at Plymouth.
In what year did the Mayflower arrive in what is now Massachusetts?
- A. 1492
- B. 1692
- C. 1776
- D. 1620
Answer: D. 1620. The Mayflower reached Cape Cod in November 1620.
About how many Wampanoag men joined the 1621 harvest feast, according to the one eyewitness account?
- A. About 5
- B. About 20
- C. About 90
- D. About 500
Answer: C. About 90. Edward Winslow wrote that about ninety Wampanoag men came, with their leader Massasoit.
Who was the Wampanoag leader at the 1621 feast?
- A. Pocahontas
- B. Massasoit
- C. Sitting Bull
- D. Geronimo
Answer: B. Massasoit. Massasoit was the Wampanoag sachem who made a peace agreement with the Plymouth colonists.
How long did the 1621 harvest celebration last?
- A. Three days
- B. One hour
- C. One afternoon
- D. Two weeks
Answer: A. Three days. Winslow described feasting and games over three days.
According to Edward Winslow, what did the Wampanoag guests bring to the 1621 feast?
- A. Ten pumpkins
- B. A wagon of corn
- C. Two cows
- D. Five deer
Answer: D. Five deer. Winslow wrote that the Wampanoag killed five deer and brought them to the feast.
What made Tisquantum (Squanto) so useful as a go-between for the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag?
- A. He was a ship captain
- B. He was a doctor
- C. He spoke Latin
- D. He spoke English
Answer: D. He spoke English. He had learned English before the Pilgrims arrived, so he could translate.
Which writer and editor campaigned for about 17 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday?
- A. Clara Barton
- B. Betsy Ross
- C. Sarah Josepha Hale
- D. Dolley Madison
Answer: C. Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale wrote letters and editorials to presidents until Lincoln acted in 1863.
Which president proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War?
- A. George Washington
- B. Abraham Lincoln
- C. Theodore Roosevelt
- D. Thomas Jefferson
Answer: B. Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln set the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanks.
What was the nickname for the earlier Thanksgiving that Franklin D. Roosevelt set in 1939?
- A. Franksgiving
- B. Rooseveltmas
- C. Turkey Tuesday
- D. Early Bird Day
Answer: A. Franksgiving. FDR moved the holiday a week earlier to lengthen the holiday shopping season, and critics coined "Franksgiving".
In 1941, Congress fixed Thanksgiving on which day?
- A. The last Thursday in November
- B. The third Thursday in November
- C. The first Monday in November
- D. The fourth Thursday in November
Answer: D. The fourth Thursday in November. Congress settled the date as the fourth Thursday, and FDR signed it into law.
Which president issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation, in 1789?
- A. John Adams
- B. Abraham Lincoln
- C. George Washington
- D. James Monroe
Answer: C. George Washington. Washington called for a day of thanks after the new Constitution was adopted.
Thanksgiving food trivia
Turkey, pie, cranberries and the dishes on your table.
Which company's kitchen created green bean casserole in 1955?
- A. Heinz
- B. Campbell's
- C. Kraft
- D. Del Monte
Answer: B. Campbell's. Dorcas Reilly of the Campbell Soup Company developed the recipe with cream of mushroom soup.
Which state grows the most cranberries in the US?
- A. Wisconsin
- B. Florida
- C. Texas
- D. Nevada
Answer: A. Wisconsin. Wisconsin leads the country in cranberry production, ahead of Massachusetts.
How are many cranberries harvested?
- A. By shaking them from tall trees
- B. By digging them up like potatoes
- C. By picking them from the ground in winter
- D. By flooding the field so they float
Answer: D. By flooding the field so they float. Growers flood the bog, loosen the berries, and the berries float to the top.
What was in the first Swanson TV dinners, sold in 1953?
- A. Fried chicken
- B. Meatloaf
- C. A turkey dinner
- D. Pot roast
Answer: C. A turkey dinner. The first Swanson TV dinner was turkey with sides, and it helped make frozen dinners popular.
In what year did the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line open?
- A. 1961
- B. 1981
- C. 1971
- D. 1991
Answer: B. 1981. Butterball started the hotline in 1981 to answer turkey cooking questions.
Which orange side dish is often topped with marshmallows?
- A. Sweet potatoes
- B. Carrots
- C. Butternut squash
- D. Corn
Answer: A. Sweet potatoes. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic American holiday side.
What does the word "cornucopia" mean?
- A. Horn of plenty
- B. Corn on the cob
- C. Harvest table
- D. Basket of fruit
Answer: A. Horn of plenty. It comes from Latin words meaning "horn" and "plenty", and it stands for abundance.
What internal temperature does the USDA recommend for a fully cooked turkey?
- A. 125 degrees F
- B. 145 degrees F
- C. 185 degrees F
- D. 165 degrees F
Answer: D. 165 degrees F. The USDA says 165 degrees F, measured in the thickest part, is safe.
Pecans, the nut in pecan pie, are native to which continent?
- A. Europe
- B. Asia
- C. North America
- D. Australia
Answer: C. North America. Pecan trees are native to North America, which is why pecans are such a classic American pie.
Botanically speaking, what is a pumpkin?
- A. A nut
- B. A fruit
- C. A grain
- D. A root
Answer: B. A fruit. A pumpkin grows from a flower and holds seeds, so botanists call it a fruit.
Which is NOT a safe way to thaw a turkey?
- A. On the kitchen counter overnight
- B. In the refrigerator
- C. In cold water, changing it often
- D. In the microwave, following its instructions
Answer: A. On the kitchen counter overnight. A turkey left at room temperature spends too long in the temperature range where bacteria grow fast.
Why is sugar usually added to cranberry sauce?
- A. To keep it from spoiling
- B. To turn it red
- C. To make it thicker
- D. Cranberries are very tart
Answer: D. Cranberries are very tart. Raw cranberries are very sour, so most sauces add sugar.
Thanksgiving football and parade trivia
Balloons, marching bands and a very long football tradition.
In what year did the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?
- A. 1904
- B. 1944
- C. 1924
- D. 1964
Answer: C. 1924. The first Macy's parade marched in New York City in 1924.
Which character has appeared as a balloon in the Macy's parade more than any other?
- A. Mickey Mouse
- B. Snoopy
- C. Garfield
- D. Bugs Bunny
Answer: B. Snoopy. Snoopy has flown in the parade in many different outfits over the years.
Since which year have the Detroit Lions played a home game on Thanksgiving?
- A. 1934
- B. 1914
- C. 1954
- D. 1974
Answer: A. 1934. The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game since 1934.
The Dallas Cowboys have hosted a Thanksgiving game almost every year since which year?
- A. 1946
- B. 1956
- C. 1986
- D. 1966
Answer: D. 1966. Dallas began the tradition in 1966.
What kind of animals marched in the first Macy's parade in 1924?
- A. Only horses
- B. Sled dogs
- C. Animals from the Central Park Zoo
- D. Reindeer from Alaska
Answer: C. Animals from the Central Park Zoo. The early parades featured zoo animals, until giant balloons replaced them in 1927.
In which city does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
- A. Chicago
- B. New York City
- C. Philadelphia
- D. Boston
Answer: B. New York City. The route runs through Manhattan and ends at Macy's Herald Square.
Who traditionally arrives on the last float of the Macy's parade?
- A. The Easter Bunny
- B. Santa Claus
- C. Uncle Sam
- D. The Tooth Fairy
Answer: B. Santa Claus. Santa closes the parade, which marks the start of the holiday season.
What gas lifts the giant parade balloons?
- A. Helium
- B. Hot air
- C. Steam
- D. Oxygen
Answer: A. Helium. Helium is lighter than air and does not burn, so it is the safe choice.
Which cartoon cat was among the first giant character balloons in the parade, in 1927?
- A. Garfield
- B. Tom
- C. Sylvester
- D. Felix the Cat
Answer: D. Felix the Cat. Felix the Cat floated down the street in the 1927 parade.
What is a casual backyard football game on Thanksgiving morning often called?
- A. The Gravy Cup
- B. The Pilgrim Classic
- C. A Turkey Bowl
- D. The Stuffing Series
Answer: C. A Turkey Bowl. Families and friends often play a "Turkey Bowl" before the big meal.
Since 2006, how many NFL games have usually been played on Thanksgiving Day?
- A. One
- B. Three
- C. Two
- D. Five
Answer: B. Three. The NFL has scheduled a three-game Thanksgiving slate since 2006.
What can keep the giant Macy's balloons on the ground?
- A. High winds
- B. Light snow
- C. Cold weather
- D. Too many cameras
Answer: A. High winds. The balloons can be grounded if winds are too strong to fly them safely.
Thanksgiving trivia for kids
Easy questions for ages 6 to 10.
Which bird is the star of many Thanksgiving dinners?
- A. Eagle
- B. Duck
- C. Penguin
- D. Turkey
Answer: D. Turkey. Roast turkey is the traditional main dish.
On which day of the week does Thanksgiving always fall?
- A. Monday
- B. Wednesday
- C. Thursday
- D. Saturday
Answer: C. Thursday. Thanksgiving is always on the fourth Thursday of November.
What is a baby turkey called?
- A. A calf
- B. A poult
- C. A cub
- D. A kit
Answer: B. A poult. Baby turkeys are called poults.
What sound does a male turkey make?
- A. Gobble
- B. Moo
- C. Quack
- D. Roar
Answer: A. Gobble. Male turkeys gobble to call to other turkeys.
What was the name of the ship that carried the Pilgrims across the ocean in 1620?
- A. The Titanic
- B. The Santa Maria
- C. The Sea Turtle
- D. The Mayflower
Answer: D. The Mayflower. The Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower.
What do many families do around the table on Thanksgiving?
- A. Race to eat first
- B. Sing the alphabet
- C. Share what they are thankful for
- D. Take a nap under the table
Answer: C. Share what they are thankful for. Saying thanks is the heart of the holiday.
Which tart red berry is made into a sauce for Thanksgiving?
- A. Banana
- B. Grape
- C. Cranberry
- D. Watermelon
Answer: C. Cranberry. Cranberry sauce is a classic side dish.
Which orange pie is a Thanksgiving favorite?
- A. Apple pie
- B. Pumpkin pie
- C. Cherry pie
- D. Lemon pie
Answer: B. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is a traditional Thanksgiving dessert.
In which month do people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving?
- A. November
- B. June
- C. August
- D. January
Answer: A. November. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Which Native American people shared the harvest feast with the Pilgrims in 1621?
- A. The Vikings
- B. The Romans
- C. The Pirates
- D. The Wampanoag
Answer: D. The Wampanoag. The Wampanoag and the Plymouth colonists feasted together for three days.
How many legs does a turkey have?
- A. Four
- B. Six
- C. Two
- D. Eight
Answer: C. Two. A turkey is a bird, and birds have two legs.
What do two people do when they pull on a turkey wishbone?
- A. They sing a song
- B. They make a wish
- C. They count to ten
- D. They tell a joke
Answer: B. They make a wish. Whoever gets the bigger piece is said to get their wish.
Fun Thanksgiving facts
Turkey talk and surprising details to share over dinner.
Which turkeys gobble?
- A. Only males
- B. Only females
- C. Only baby turkeys
- D. All turkeys
Answer: A. Only males. Males (toms) gobble. Females (hens) make clucks and other sounds.
Which turkeys can fly short distances?
- A. Domestic broad-breasted turkeys
- B. Both equally well
- C. Neither can leave the ground
- D. Wild turkeys
Answer: D. Wild turkeys. Wild turkeys can fly short distances, but heavy farm turkeys cannot.
What is the red flap of skin that hangs over a turkey's beak called?
- A. A wattle
- B. A comb
- C. A snood
- D. A crest
Answer: C. A snood. The snood hangs over the beak and can grow longer when the turkey is excited.
What is the flap of skin under a turkey's chin called?
- A. A snood
- B. A wattle
- C. A bib
- D. A gizzard
Answer: B. A wattle. The wattle hangs below the beak.
Which state raises the most turkeys in the US?
- A. Minnesota
- B. Maine
- C. Hawaii
- D. Montana
Answer: A. Minnesota. Minnesota is the nation's top turkey-producing state.
Which president began the formal tradition of pardoning a turkey at the White House, in 1989?
- A. Harry Truman
- B. Ronald Reagan
- C. Bill Clinton
- D. George H.W. Bush
Answer: D. George H.W. Bush. Bush made the pardon official in 1989.
In a 1784 letter to his daughter, what did Benjamin Franklin say about the turkey?
- A. It was too clumsy to be eaten
- B. It should appear on the dollar bill
- C. It was the smartest bird in America
- D. It was a more respectable bird than the bald eagle
Answer: D. It was a more respectable bird than the bald eagle. He never formally proposed the turkey as the national bird, but he wrote that it was "a much more respectable bird".
In what year did "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" first air?
- A. 1953
- B. 1963
- C. 1973
- D. 1983
Answer: C. 1973. The Peanuts special first aired on CBS in 1973.
When is Thanksgiving in Canada?
- A. The fourth Thursday of November
- B. The second Monday of October
- C. The first Sunday of September
- D. December 1
Answer: B. The second Monday of October. Canadians celebrate earlier in the fall, on the second Monday of October.
Thanksgiving in the US can fall on any date between which two days?
- A. November 22 and November 28
- B. November 1 and November 7
- C. November 15 and November 21
- D. November 29 and December 5
Answer: A. November 22 and November 28. The fourth Thursday always lands between the 22nd and the 28th.
What is the scientific name for the wishbone?
- A. Femur
- B. Sternum
- C. Patella
- D. Furcula
Answer: D. Furcula. The furcula is the forked bone in front of a bird's breastbone.
What is a female turkey called?
- A. A tom
- B. A jenny
- C. A hen
- D. A doe
Answer: C. A hen. Female turkeys are hens, and males are toms or gobblers.