• 2022 Turkey Pardon, Biden Administration
    Matthew D'Agostino
    Turkey Pardon
    Thanksgiving
    South Portico
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    military
    This photograph of the South Portico of the White House was taken by Matthew D’Agostino before the 2022 turkey pardon on November 21, 2022. During the ceremony, President Joseph R. Biden formally “pardoned” the official National Thanksgiving Turkey, Chocolate, and the alternate, Chip. Chocolate and Chip were raised by National Turkey Federation (NTF) chairman Ronnie Parker at Circle S Ranch near Monroe, North Carolina. After the ceremony, the turkeys were transferred to the Talley Turkey Education Unit at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays since the 1870s. The origin of the turkey pardon, however, dates to 1863—when President Abraham Lincoln offered clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the George H. W. Bush administration.