A good Thanksgiving feast, time with family and friends, and watching the Thanksgiving parade. All these make for a memorable Thanksgiving day. But there is so much that people all across the United States and North America might not have known about Thanksgiving that could blow your mind.
So together, we look at the most common trivia around Thanksgiving tradition, Thanksgiving dinner facts, and all fun facts around U S behaviors and beliefs around one of the most popular
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving Trivia
Did you know some of these trivia and facts about Thanksgiving and other Thanksgiving-related things?
- More than 6 in 10 Americans actually enjoy the thanksgiving leftovers more than the meals themselves.
- A Thanksgiving celebration costs up around $53 for 10 people in 2021.
- Recipes for Mashed Potatoes date as far back as 1771.
- Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of making Thanksgiving a national day of celebration.
Play Multiplayer Trivia Games with Your Team
Make your next meeting, team building, get-together, event, or class more fun with trivia games plus other fun and exciting team engagement tools to help build team connection!
Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers
After you’ve dug into all that Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, and Pumpkin Pie, get around and challenge a friend or two to Thanksgiving trivia challenge! Here are some Thanksgiving questions and their respective answers.
Click on the blurred area to reveal the answer.
Test it out. Click here to reveal the answer 👉 Awesome! You’re ready
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| What is a baby turkey called? | â–¶ Poult or chick |
| Which famous writer campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday? | â–¶ Sarah Josepha Hale. She also wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb” |
| In which American city is The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held? | â–¶ New York City |
| Who performed the country track “Thanksgiving Song” released in 2008? | â–¶ Mary Chapin Carpenter |
| Which Thursday is Thanksgiving Day celebrated? | â–¶ fourth Thursday |
| Who made the Presidential Proclamation moving Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday of November? | â–¶ Franklin D Roosevelt |
| When was the National Turkey Federation founded? | â–¶ 1973 |
| Which colony is most popular thought to have celebrated the first Thanksgiving with a Native American tribe? | â–¶ Plymouth Colony |
| What state is Plymouth Rock located in? | â–¶ Massachusetts |
| What’s the 1973 classic Snoopy-based cartoon released with a Thanksgiving theme? | â–¶ A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving |
| Which song did James Lord Pierpont originally write for Thanksgiving but became a widely known Christmas song instead? | â–¶ “Jingle Bells” |
| What food trend did one 260 tons thanksgiving meal order mishap inspire? | â–¶ Frozen TV dinners |
| Are male Turkeys or female Turkeys more commonly prepared on Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Female turkeys or hens are more common |
| On October 3, 1789, which president issued a proclamation designating for “the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving” and paved the way for Thanksgiving day? | â–¶ George Washington |
| In 1863, which U.S. President declared that the last Thursday in November should be celebrated as Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Abraham Lincoln |
| What day is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada? | â–¶ The second Monday of October |
| What year did the Pilgrims first celebrate Thanksgiving in Plymouth? | â–¶ 1621 |
| Which U.S. President made Thanksgiving a national holiday? | â–¶ Abraham Lincoln |
| What is the name of the ship the Pilgrims sailed on to America? | â–¶ Mayflower |
| What Native American tribe helped the Pilgrims with farming and survival in the New World? | â–¶ Wampanoag |
| Which state was the first to make Thanksgiving a legal holiday? | â–¶ New York |
| What is the name of the famous poem about Thanksgiving by Lydia Maria Child? | â–¶ “Over the River and Through the Woods” |
| Which country celebrates a similar holiday to Thanksgiving in October? | â–¶ Canada |
| What is the name of the dish made from mashed potatoes, milk, and butter? | â–¶ Mashed potatoes |
| What is the name of the dish made from green beans, mushroom soup, and fried onions? | â–¶ Green bean casserole |
| What is the name of the dish made from cornbread and sausage? | â–¶ Cornbread stuffing |
| What is the name of the dish made from cranberries and sugar? | â–¶ Cranberry sauce |
| What is the name of the dish made from pumpkin, eggs, and sugar in a crust? | â–¶ Pumpkin pie |
| Which NFL team plays every Thanksgiving Day? | â–¶ Dallas Cowboys |
| What is the name of the famous parade in New York City on Thanksgiving Day? | â–¶ Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| What is the name of the famous rock band that released a song called “Thanksgiving”? | â–¶ The Band |
| What is the name of the famous TV special featuring Charlie Brown and Thanksgiving? | â–¶ “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous comedian who performed a Thanksgiving sketch about cooking a turkey? | â–¶ Jim Gaffigan |
| What is the name of the famous movie about a family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner? | â–¶ “Home for the Holidays” |
| What is the name of the famous song about a Thanksgiving dinner by Arlo Guthrie? | â–¶ “Alice’s Restaurant” |
| What is the name of the day after Thanksgiving, known for shopping deals? | â–¶ Black Friday |
| What is the name of the online shopping day following Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Cyber Monday |
| What is the name of the day for giving back to others after Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Giving Tuesday |
| What is the name of the famous Norman Rockwell painting of a Thanksgiving dinner? | â–¶ “Freedom from Want” |
| What is the name of the annual event in Plymouth, Massachusetts where the first Thanksgiving is reenacted? | â–¶ Plymouth Plantation’s Thanksgiving Celebration |
| What is the name of the Thanksgiving parade in Detroit that features giant balloons? | â–¶ America’s Thanksgiving Parade |
| What is the name of the popular Thanksgiving snack made from a combination of popcorn, nuts, and caramel? | â–¶ Cracker Jack |
| What is the name of the famous novel by Louisa May Alcott that features a Thanksgiving scene? | â–¶ “Little Women” |
| What is the name of the famous play by Thornton Wilder that features a Thanksgiving scene? | â–¶ “Our Town” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving song by Adam Sandler? | â–¶ “The Thanksgiving Song” |
| What is the name of the famous children’s book about a turkey trying to avoid being eaten on Thanksgiving? | â–¶ “Turkey Trouble” |
| What is the name of the Native American who helped the Pilgrims and attended the first Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Squanto |
| What is the name of the Native American tribe that Chief Massasoit was a leader of? | â–¶ Wampanoag |
| What is the name of the famous painting by Edward Hicks that depicts a peaceful Thanksgiving scene with animals? | â–¶ “The Peaceable Kingdom” |
| What is the name of the organization that provides Thanksgiving meals to those in need? | â–¶ Feeding America |
| What is the name of the famous speech given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to move Thanksgiving to an earlier date in 1939? | â–¶ “Franksgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous quote by John F. Kennedy about Thanksgiving? | â–¶ “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” |
| What is the name of the famous Broadway musical that features a song called “Turkey Lurkey Time”? | â–¶ “Promises, Promises” |
| What is the name of the famous movie about an aspiring chef who opens a restaurant for the homeless on Thanksgiving? | â–¶ “Pieces of April” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving speech given by President Ronald Reagan in 1985? | â–¶ “A Prayer for Thanksgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous story by O. Henry that features a Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant? | â–¶ “The Four Million” |
| What is the name of the famous song by Nicole Westbrook about Thanksgiving? | â–¶ “It’s Thanksgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV show “Friends”? | â–¶ “The One with All the Thanksgivings” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV show “How I Met Your Mother”? | â–¶ “Slapsgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV show “The West Wing”? | â–¶ “Shibboleth” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV show “The Simpsons”? | â–¶ “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” |
| What is the name of the famous Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV show “Bob’s Burgers”? | â–¶ “Turkey in a Can” |
| What is the name of the traditional game played on Thanksgiving, where participants try to pull the opponent across a line using a rope? | â–¶ Tug-of-war |
| What is the name of the traditional bread served during Thanksgiving, which is shaped like a crescent? | â–¶ Cornucopia |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from sweet potatoes and marshmallows? | â–¶ Sweet potato casserole |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from mashed sweet potatoes and topped with pecans and brown sugar? | ▶ Sweet potato soufflé |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from cubed bread, herbs, and vegetables? | â–¶ Stuffing |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from mashed turnips and potatoes? | â–¶ Mashed turnips |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from green beans, bacon, and almonds? | â–¶ Green bean almondine |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from cranberries and orange zest? | â–¶ Cranberry relish |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from sausage, bread, and sage? | â–¶ Sausage stuffing |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from stewed apples? | â–¶ Apple sauce |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from baked apples, cinnamon, and sugar? | â–¶ Apple pie |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from baked pumpkin, eggs, and cream? | â–¶ Pumpkin custard |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from cornmeal and molasses? | â–¶ Indian pudding |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from mashed carrots and turnips? | â–¶ Carrot and turnip mash |
| Which Native American tribe is believed to have celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims in 1621? | â–¶ Wampanoag tribe |
| Who was the leader of the Wampanoag tribe who helped the Pilgrims and attended the first Thanksgiving? | â–¶ Massasoit |
| Which Pilgrim leader is credited with organizing the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621? | â–¶ William Bradford |
| How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621 last? | â–¶ Three days |
| What was the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620? | â–¶ Mayflower |
| How many Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts on the Mayflower in 1620? | â–¶ 102 |
| What was the name of the Native American who acted as a translator between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe? | â–¶ Squanto |
| Which U.S. president officially proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863? | â–¶ Abraham Lincoln |
| Which month is Thanksgiving traditionally celebrated in the United States? | â–¶ November |
| Which month is Thanksgiving traditionally celebrated in Canada? | â–¶ October |
| In what year did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first take place in New York City? | â–¶ 1924 |
| Which NFL team has played the most games on Thanksgiving Day? | â–¶ Dallas Cowboys |
| In what year did the Detroit Lions first play a football game on Thanksgiving Day? | â–¶ 1934 |
| What was the name of the Native American who is said to have taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate corn? | â–¶ Squanto |
| Which U.S. president is said to have spared the life of a turkey and started the tradition of pardoning a turkey at Thanksgiving? | â–¶ John F. Kennedy |
| Which state was the first to declare Thanksgiving a legal holiday? | â–¶ New York |
| What was the name of the woman who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday? | â–¶ Sarah Josepha Hale |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from turkey, bread, and herbs? | â–¶ Stuffing |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from mashed sweet potatoes and marshmallows? | â–¶ Sweet potato casserole |
| What is the name of the traditional Thanksgiving dish made from cranberries? | â–¶ Cranberry sauce |
About the Author
Tim majored in Humanities with a bachelor in English and Theatre at New York State University. He lectured on entertainment business studies for three years at Plymouth College.
Tim has been a trivia host in his current hometown of Pittsburgh for the past two years. He enjoys hanging out with people who love trivia just as much as he does.
His friends call him the Question Master.
