![10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/11/thanksgiving-food.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving
![thanksgiving turkey pumpkins white house pardon president](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/thanksgiving-food1.jpg)
This Thanksgiving, millions of Americans will sit down at the table and gawk over all the goodies they are planning to cram in their gullet. The holiday might seem as familiar as singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the “Seventh Inning Stretch” or packing a finger in ice that was blown off by a firework on the Fourth of July. However, like all traditions based on history and passed down through the ages, its genesis and story has been morphed and changed to fit the times.
In fact, just about every major, hallowed tradition and belief behind “Turkey Day” has either changed completely or developed new traditions and facets in the wake of modern life. Don't worry, none of them are gross or disgusting enough to put you off roasted turkey. We're looking forward to stuffing our face with tasty starches and protein too. To get you ready for the big day (and provide some conversation fodder to break up the awkward silences between courses) here are a few things you might not know about Thanksgiving.
![thanksgiving dinner turkey grace family](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/Think-Stock-family.jpg)
Dick Luria, Think Stock Photo
Thanksgiving wasn't always celebrated with massive eating binges
![sarah josepha hale thanksgiving mary had a little lamb](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/sarah-hale.jpg)
Public Domain
The modern concept of Thanksgiving was invented by Sarah Josepha Hale
![first thanksgiving pilgrims indians](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/Think-Stock.jpg)
Think Stock
The entire “Pilgrims eating with the Indians” story is a complete fabrication
![](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/thanksgiving-640.jpg)
Public Domain
Historians can't confirm the first Thanksgiving even happened
![alcatraz island san francisco california unthanksgiving day](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/alcatraz.jpg)
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Native Americans celebrate an “Unthanksgiving Day” every year at Alcatraz
![thanksgiving turkey president barack oabama pardon](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/turkey-pardon.jpg)
Alex Wong, Getty Images
The Presidential turkey pardon didn't start with Truman
![turkey thanksgiving gobble](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/turkey.jpg)
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Not all turkeys “gobble”
![turkey eating tryptophan sleepy competitive eating](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/eating-turkey.jpg)
Joe Kohen, Getty Images
Eating Thanksgiving turkey doesn't actually make you sleepy
![tv dinner](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/tv-dinner-swanson.jpg)
Swanson's
The invention of the 'TV Dinner' came from Thanksgiving
![pumpkin pie libby's pumpkin pie filling](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/thefw.com/files/2011/11/pumpkin-pie-libbys.jpg)
Libby's
Libby's canned pumpkin pie filling isn't actually made from pumpkin
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