THE pardoning of the White House turkey is an annual tradition for millions that marks the start of the holiday season.

However, the ceremony’s inception is a contested matter.

Even presidents like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have wrongly credited the tradition to Harry Truman and Abraham Lincoln respectively, according to NPR.

In a confusing holiday history, three presidents actually have partial claims to the creation of the Thanksgiving tradition.

The National Turkey Federation first began bringing live turkeys to the White House when President Harry S. Truman was in office.

Truman remarked they would “come in handy” for Christmas dinner, according to The White House Historical Association.

President John Kennedy then spared the turkey presented to him in 1963, saying “let’s keep him going.”

However, President George H.W. Bush is officially credited with the first presidential turkey pardon in 1989.

During that year’s ceremony, Bush said: “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table.

“Not this guy he’s granted a Presidential pardon as of right now and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”

White House History also notes that Abraham Lincoln gave clemency to a Christmas turkey in 1863 but credits George H. W. Bush with making the ceremony an annual tradition.

Today, the ceremony has become an opportunity for presidents to relax with jokes and welcome in the holiday season.

Last year, Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys and joked “no ballot stuffing, no fowl play. The only red wave this season is going to be if German Shepherd Commander knocks over the cranberry sauce.”

In 2019, President Donald Trump joked about his impeachment inquiry.

He told attendees that the turkeys “have already received subpoenas to appear in Adam Schiff’s basement,” a reference to the congressman leading the investigation.

And President Barack Obama riffed in 2014 about taking action “fully within my legal authority” to pardon the turkeys, a knock at Republicans who had criticized him for signing a raft of executive orders.

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This year, two turkeys named Liberty and Bell, will be pardoned by the president later on Monday.

The National Turkey Federation tweeted on Sunday: “Liberty and Bell are unpacked and settled in nicely at their special suite at the @WillardHotel.

“Time to get some rest before they meet @POTUS tomorrow at the @WhiteHouse!”

How did Thanksgiving come about?

The story goes back to 1620 when Pilgrims landed on American soil and settled in an area they named Plymouth just south of where Boston is today.

Unfortunately for those who’d emigrated, they settled in the beginning of what turned out to be a harsh winter, meaning rations were tight and times were hard.

When spring came the Pilgrims went out to plant and grow their own crops and were helped by a native American named Squanto.

Squanto taught them how to fish and hunt as well as showing them how to plant corn, pumpkins and squash.

With these new found skills they were able to store up enough food to be sure that they would be equipped to face the harsh winter months.

The grateful pilgrims invited the Native Americans to join them for a huge harvest feast which has since become known as Thanksgiving.

The tradition has continued for hundreds of years since.

What is traditional Thanksgiving food?

A typical Thanksgiving menu consists of roast turkey, stuffing, cornbread, green bean casserole, roasted sweet potato casserole and winter vegetables – a plate that resembles a British Christmas dinner.

This is then topped off with a pumpkin pie with a walnut crust, and even pecan pie.

Roasted turkey is probably the most common Thanksgiving meal to have.

Mashed potatoes are also popular, and they’re paired with either gravy or cranberry sauce.

Stuffing is also a common food to have on Thanksgiving, as well as casseroles with cornbread.