President Ronald Reagan was the first to use the word "pardon" in connection with the turkey. THe bird, named Charlie, was sent to a petting zoo instead of the dinner table. By 1989, the formality ...

The history of White ... speaking to the pardoned turkey, saying the line his successors still reprise at ceremonies today: "He's granted a presidential pardon as of right now." ...

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the White House is prepping up for its yearly tradition of pardoning a turkey. Every year the president pardons one or two turkeys before the ...