Around Thanksgiving time in 1947, a group of turkey farmers began a yearly tradition. They gave a live turkey to the U.S. president.

No one is sure what President Harry S. Truman did with that first bird. But by the 1980s, presidents had a tradition of their own. They held turkey ceremonies, where they gave the birds an official “pardon.” Turkeys pardoned by the president couldn’t end up on the dinner table. Instead, they were sent to live on a farm or at a zoo.

The tradition of pardoning turkeys continues at the White House today. Special turkeys are chosen for the event. They’re trained to stand still for the ceremony and not be bothered by reporters’ cameras!