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Seven days of questions and answers

Thanksgiving Trivia Answers Archive

Review earlier daily rounds, reveal the correct answer, and use the short explanation to learn the fact behind each question. Page 1 of 12 covers seven completed UTC days.

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Daily round

  1. Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving proclamation designated the holiday for which specific Thursday of November?

    Answer: The last Thursday

    Lincoln's proclamation designated the last Thursday of November as the day of national thanksgiving, which at the time could fall on either the fourth or fifth Thursday depending on the calendar.

  2. What is the most commonly served side dish at American Thanksgiving dinner tables, according to multiple consumer surveys?

    Answer: Mashed potatoes

    Mashed potatoes consistently rank as the most popular Thanksgiving side dish across numerous consumer surveys, appearing on the vast majority of American Thanksgiving tables.

  3. What is the primary difference between a sweet potato and a true yam?

    Answer: Sweet potatoes are a root in the morning glory family while yams belong to the Dioscorea family

    Despite the interchangeable use of the names in American grocery stores, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) and true yams (Dioscorea species) are entirely different plants from separate botanical families.

  4. Which U.S. president declined to issue Thanksgiving proclamations, citing concerns about the federal government encroaching on religious matters?

    Answer: Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson, a strong advocate for the separation of church and state, chose not to issue Thanksgiving proclamations during his presidency, believing such proclamations exceeded constitutional authority.

  5. Which U.S. president moved Thanksgiving up by one week in 1939, a decision that divided the nation?

    Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving from the last Thursday to the third Thursday of November 1939 to extend the holiday shopping period and help retailers during the Great Depression.

Daily round

  1. Which U.S. president first issued a nationwide Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, calling for a day of gratitude and prayer?

    Answer: George Washington

    George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, as a day of national thanksgiving to acknowledge the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of the new federal government.

  2. Which vegetable is in peak season during the North American autumn and is often served roasted or shredded at Thanksgiving?

    Answer: Brussels sprouts

    Brussels sprouts are a cool-weather crop that reaches peak flavor after the first autumn frost, making them a natural seasonal choice for Thanksgiving side dishes, especially when roasted or sautéed.

  3. Which American state has historically celebrated Thanksgiving with regional dishes such as kalua turkey, poke, and malasadas reflecting its multicultural heritage?

    Answer: Hawaii

    Hawaii's Thanksgiving tables often reflect its diverse cultural influences with dishes like kalua turkey prepared in an imu, poke, malasadas, and other local specialties.

  4. Which sport became widely associated with Thanksgiving Day in the United States beginning in the 1920s?

    Answer: College football

    College football games on Thanksgiving Day became a widespread American tradition by the 1920s, well before the NFL began its own annual Thanksgiving matchups in 1934.

  5. What is the best practice for safely cooling a large pot of hot turkey stock or gravy before refrigerating it?

    Answer: Divide into shallow containers so it cools quickly to below 40°F

    Dividing hot liquids into shallow containers increases their surface area, allowing them to cool to a safe temperature (below 40°F) within the recommended two-hour window before being transferred to the refrigerator.

Daily round

  1. What proportion of wild turkeys in North America were estimated to remain by the early 20th century before conservation efforts restored their populations?

    Answer: Around 30%

    Wild turkey populations had declined to roughly 30,000 birds, about 30% of their original estimated range, by the early 1900s before habitat restoration and regulated hunting brought them back to millions.

  2. What is the function of a roasting rack when cooking a turkey in the oven?

    Answer: It elevates the turkey so hot air circulates underneath and the bottom does not boil in drippings

    A roasting rack lifts the turkey above the bottom of the pan, allowing ambient oven heat to reach the entire bird and preventing the underside from sitting in and steaming in its own juices, which promotes more even browning.

  3. What temperature range is known as the food-safety "danger zone" where bacteria multiply most rapidly?

    Answer: 40°F to 140°F (4°C to 60°C)

    The danger zone between 40°F and 140°F is the range in which harmful bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes, so perishable foods should not remain in this range for more than two hours.

  4. Which Thanksgiving parade, held in a major Midwestern city, features giant character balloons, floats, and marching bands and is broadcast nationally each year?

    Answer: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

    The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, first held in 1934 and now called the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade, is one of the largest Thanksgiving parades in the United States, broadcast nationally each year.

  5. What is a gravy separator designed to do?

    Answer: Remove fat from pan drippings by letting it rise to the top

    A gravy separator is a pitcher with a spout at its base; after resting, the fat rises to the top and the cook pours off the lean juices from the bottom, producing a less greasy gravy.

Daily round

  1. Which type of potato is generally preferred for making fluffy mashed potatoes?

    Answer: Russet potatoes

    Russet (also called baking) potatoes have high starch content and low moisture, which allows them to break down into a light, fluffy texture when mashed, unlike waxy potatoes that hold their shape.

  2. Before 1957, Canadian Thanksgiving was not held on a fixed date but was instead proclaimed on varying dates for which of the following reasons?

    Answer: Variable dates linked to specific events or occasions

    Prior to 1957, Canadian Thanksgiving was proclaimed on various dates to mark specific occasions such as the end of wars, royal events, or recovery from illness, rather than following a fixed calendar rule.

  3. What type of fat is most traditionally used to baste a roasting turkey?

    Answer: Melted butter spooned over the skin periodically

    Melted butter is the classic basting fat for roasting turkey, as its milk solids promote browning and its fat content helps the skin crisp while adding a rich flavor that complements the poultry.

  4. Which fat is most commonly used in traditional flaky American pie crusts for Thanksgiving desserts?

    Answer: Butter or vegetable shortening

    American pie crusts rely on butter, vegetable shortening, or a combination of the two; the solid fat creates steam pockets during baking that separate the flour layers into a flaky texture.

  5. In which year did the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade first take place in New York City?

    Answer: 1924

    The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 27, 1924, and was originally called the Macy's Christmas Parade, featuring floats, bands, and live animals from the Central Park Zoo.

Daily round

  1. Which nut, commonly featured in Thanksgiving pies, is native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico?

    Answer: Pecan

    The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a species of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, making it a uniquely American nut that features prominently in Southern Thanksgiving desserts.

  2. How long can refrigerated Thanksgiving leftovers typically be safely consumed before they should be discarded?

    Answer: 3 to 4 days

    Food safety guidelines recommend consuming refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days; after that, the risk of bacterial growth increases even under continuous refrigeration.

  3. The tradition of writing gratitude lists or keeping gratitude journals around Thanksgiving has been linked in psychological research to improvements in which area of well-being?

    Answer: Subjective happiness and life satisfaction

    Multiple psychology studies, including those by Robert Emmons, have found that regularly practicing gratitude, such as writing gratitude lists, is associated with increased subjective happiness and life satisfaction.

  4. Canadian Thanksgiving was officially established as an annual national observance by Parliament in which year?

    Answer: 1879

    The Canadian Parliament proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving on November 6, 1879, though the specific date would change multiple times before being fixed in 1957.

  5. What safety concern is most commonly associated with outdoor turkey fryers?

    Answer: The high volume of hot oil can overflow and ignite if the turkey is wet

    When a partially frozen or wet turkey is lowered into hot oil, the water rapidly vaporizes and expands, causing the oil to boil over and potentially ignite, leading to severe burns and structure fires.

Daily round

  1. Which department store chain sponsors the oldest annual Thanksgiving Day parade in the United States, first held in 1920?

    Answer: Gimbel's

    Gimbel's department store launched the first Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia in 1920, predating Macy's famous New York City parade by six years.

  2. What is the largest float by dimension that has appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, introduced in the 2000s?

    Answer: Pikachu

    The Pikachu balloon, introduced to the Macy's parade, has been among the largest character balloons, reflecting the parade's tradition of featuring pop culture icons alongside classic figures.

  3. Why is it recommended to let a roasted turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving?

    Answer: To let the juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat fibers

    Resting gives the meat fibers time to relax and reabsorb the internal juices that were driven toward the center during cooking, resulting in moister slices when carved.

  4. Which type of apple is most commonly recommended for baking in Thanksgiving pies due to its ability to hold its shape?

    Answer: Granny Smith

    Granny Smith apples are favored for pies because their firm flesh and tart flavor hold up well during baking, maintaining distinct pieces rather than turning into applesauce, and their acidity balances the sweetness of pie filling.

  5. Which squash variety, with its bell-like shape and sweet orange flesh, is especially popular for Thanksgiving soups and purées?

    Answer: Butternut squash

    Butternut squash has a smooth, dense, and sweet flesh that purées easily, making it a favorite for Thanksgiving soups, side dishes, and even pie fillings where a smooth, creamy texture is desired.

Daily round

  1. Which NFL team has played a game on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934, making it the longest continuous Thanksgiving football tradition?

    Answer: Detroit Lions

    The Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game every year since 1934, when team owner George A. Richards arranged the first matchup as a promotional event.

  2. Which ingredient is traditionally used as the primary thickening agent in pan gravy?

    Answer: Roux made from fat and flour

    Classic pan gravy begins with a roux—a mixture of equal parts fat (typically drippings) and flour cooked together—which is then whisked with pan juices and stock to create a smooth, thickened sauce.

  3. What is the approximate number of pumpkins grown in the United States each year for the autumn harvest season, including those used for Thanksgiving pies and decorations?

    Answer: Around 1 billion

    The United States produces roughly 1 billion pounds of pumpkins annually, with the vast majority harvested in the autumn for use in cooking, decorating, and Thanksgiving celebrations.

  4. Which president signed the 1941 joint congressional resolution that ended the uncertainty over Thanksgiving's date in the United States?

    Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the joint congressional resolution in December 1941, permanently fixing Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November and resolving the confusion of the previous two years.

  5. Which autumn foliage pigment is responsible for the yellow and gold colors visible in maple and birch leaves during the Thanksgiving season?

    Answer: Carotenoid

    Carotenoids are the pigments that produce yellow, gold, and orange leaf colors in species like maples and birches during autumn, as they become unmasked when chlorophyll breaks down.