President Barack Obama pardoned his last turkey as Commander in Chief in a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden at 2:45 p.m. ET. Obama will also present the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the 69th annual ceremony.
The ceremony started in 1947 and the chairman of the National Turkey Federation will present the bird to the president. The bird will then be saved from landing on a dinner table.
“Tomorrow is one of the best days of the year to be an American,” Obama said in a statement. “It’s a day to count our blessings, spend time with the ones we love, and enjoy some good food and some great company. But it’s also one of the worst days of the year to be a turkey. They don’t have it so good.”
There are two turkeys who will be at the ceremony: Tater and Tot. Both were born on the same day, July 18, 2016. They also love music, so Tater’s favorite song is “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor. Tot is a Justin Timberlake fan, so “Can’t Stop The Feeling” is his favorite song.
On November 22, Obama also held his final Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, awarding medals to Ellen DeGeneres, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan, Robert De Niro and others.
For the history of the Turkey Pardon Ceremony, click here:
