Presidents Pardon Thanksgiving Turkeys -- PICTURES

By National Journal staff

Updated: November 21, 2012 | 4:59 p.m.
November 18, 2011 | 3:40 p.m.

On Wednesday, President Obama will pardon a Thanksgiving turkey. Presidents have accepted thanksgiving turkeys since 1947, and since 1989 have actually "pardoned" those turkeys. Here's a look back, in pictures and video, at some turkeys that have received presidential pardons.

2012: President Obama, with daughters Sasha (center) and Malia (right), carries on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a "presidential pardon," on Wednesday, Nov. 21. After the ceremony, "Cobbler" will head to George Washington's historic home in Virginia. National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen is at left. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

2011: President Obama pardons "Liberty." (Lauren Rock/AP)

Gov. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., pardons Ted the turkey on Friday, Nov. 18. Read more about governors pardoning turkeys. (Minnesota Governor's Office)

2010: President Obama pardons a turkey named "Apple." (Charles Dharapak/AP)

2008: President George W. Bush pardons a turkey named "Pumpkin." (Gerald Herbert/AP)

1999: President Clinton pardons a turkey named "Harry." (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

1992: President George H.W. Bush pardons a thanksgiving turkey for the last time. (Greg Gibson/AP)

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