Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey instead of another type of meat?

The choice of turkey as the star of Thanksgiving dinner is a mix of practicality, tradition, and a little bit of myth. Back in the early days of the Pilgrims and Native Americans breaking bread together in 1621, wild turkeys were abundant in the New England area. They were big enough to feed a group, relatively easy to hunt, and, let’s be honest, a roasted turkey makes quite the centerpiece compared to, say, a scrawny rabbit or a pile of fish. By the 19th century, when Thanksgiving became an official holiday thanks to Abraham Lincoln and a relentless campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale (yes, the same woman who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”), the turkey had already cemented its spot on the table. It didn’t hurt that turkeys, unlike cows or chickens, weren’t as crucial for milk or eggs, so it felt less wasteful to roast one up. Over time, the turkey’s role in Thanksgiving became so iconic that it’s hard to imagine the holiday without it—though let’s not forget the side dishes that really steal the show. Pass the stuffing!