7 Facts You Never Knew About Thanksgiving Day

OKEMOS, Mich. –– It's easy to overlook the many histories and mythologies that have developed and compiled over the years behind annual American holidays like Thanksgiving. But this sort of knowledge provides plenty of fodder for conversation, unbeknownst to you and millions of other Americans who gather for turkey each year.

This November, instead of keeping conversation to a minimum and asking your family member to pass the gravy, sit down at the table and bestow your Turkey Day wisdom upon all who will listen to these seven facts they never knew about Thanksgiving Day.

1. TV dinners have origins in Thanksgiving.

Believe it or not, you can thank––or blame––Thanksgiving for TV dinners. Okay, really you can thank Swanson, a food delivery company most popular in the mid-20th century. After Thanksgiving Day in 1953, Swanson found itself overstocked with 260 tons of frozen turkey that hadn't been sold. The company's brilliant solution was to pack portions of turkey, potatoes, peas, and cornbread into an aluminum tray that could be kept in a freezer and heated up when ready to be consumed.

2. The Detroit Lions initiated Thanksgiving Day football.

Way back in 1934, the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears played the first Thanksgiving Day football game in the history of the professional sport. Although the Lions went into the game with a 10–1 record, the Bears were 11–0 and maintained their streak after beating the Lions 19–16. The game was broadcasted by radio, and the first televised Thanksgiving Day game didn't occur until 1956 when the Lions lost 24–20 to the Green Bay Packers.

3. For the last time, turkey doesn't make you sleepy.

We don't want to cause any debates or bad blood between family members at the table this Thanksgiving, but it's time to stop perpetuating this turkey tale every November. Many assume the tryptophan in turkey makes you sleepy, hence that deep sleep your uncle falls into after overindulging on every Turkey Day. However, the truth is your potatoes are what make you sleepy, as well as any other dishes packed with carbohydrates. The tryptophan in turkey is so minimal you would have to eat much more than you're capable of before it ever made you pass out.

4. Humans and pumpkins are related, sort of.

This one might make your family members roll their eyes, or ask each other if you need to see a psychiatrist, but it's true. Humans and pumpkins share DNA sequences that are 75% identical to each other. Of course, that's quite a distance in terms of double-helixes, so be thankful this Thanksgiving that you're a guy or a gal, and not a gourd.

5. Turkeys can weigh as much as large dogs.

Although it's unusual for turkeys to weigh more than 11–24 pounds, there are rare cases where these birds may look large enough to gobble you up on Thanksgiving. Just to give you an idea, the largest turkey ever served on Thanksgiving weighed 86 pounds. With a bird that size, we're guessing Swanson could have packed more than a few extra TV dinners.

6. Americans consume around 690 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

A number that substantial makes you wonder how turkeys haven't gone extinct, or it makes you realize how many of these snooded birds exist. To put it into perspective, 690 million pounds is equal to the weight of Singapore's population, or 57,500 African bush elephants, or about 172,500 new Chevy cars. You get the point, it's a lot of turkey.

7. The first Thanksgiving Day feast extended three days.

In today's busy world, we only make time to sit down for turkey a few hours once a year. But when the pilgrims sailed over from Europe to North America, they made sure to drag out out their festivities over the course of three days. During that time, the settlers took time to savor their food, play games, dance, and shoot guns in celebration of their safe arrival.

This year, stuff the turkey and then stuff your family members' minds with these seven facts they never knew about Thanksgiving Day. At the end of the holiday they'll drive home astonished with new knowledge about one of their favorite American holidays. But before you or your guests head home from your Turkey Day destination, make sure you check out our Thanksgiving travel tips to help you avoid traffic here.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let the friendly team of Chevy professionals at our Delta Charter Township area Chevrolet dealer help you. Call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

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