Interesting facts about Thanksgiving

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. 

The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday 153 years ago (Oct. 3, 1863) when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving Day should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.

Here are some facts surrounding Thanksgiving, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau:

4

The number of places in the United States named after the holiday’s traditional main course. Turkey Creek village, La., had 444 residents in 2015, followed by Turkey city, Texas (396); Turkey Creek, Ariz. (351); and Turkey town, N.C. (296). There are also 11 townships in the United States with “Turkey” in the name.

7

The number of places and townships in the United States named Cranberry, a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry township (Butler County), Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2015, with 30,458 residents. Cranberry township (Venango County), Pa., was next with 6,513 residents.

33

The number of counties, places and townships in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. The two counties named Plymouth are in Massachusetts (510,393 residents) and Iowa (24,800 residents). Plymouth city, Minn., is the most populous place, with 75,907 residents in 2015.

24.0 million

The number of U.S. residents of English ancestry as of 2015. Some could very well be descendants of the Plymouth colonists who participated in the autumn feast that is widely believed to be one of the first Thanksgivings, especially the 650,000 living in Massachusetts.

6,500

The number of members of the Wampanoag American Indian tribal grouping as of 2010, roughly half of whom resided in Massachusetts. The Wampanoag were in attendance at the first Thanksgiving, playing a lead role in the historic event, and were essential to the survival of the colonists during the newcomers’ first year.

243.0 million

The estimated number of turkeys raised in the United States in 2016. That is up 4 percent from the number raised during 2015.

44.0 million

The estimated number of turkeys raised in Minnesota in 2016. Minnesota topped in turkey production, followed by North Carolina (33.0 million), Arkansas (26.0 million), Indiana (20.0 million), Missouri (19.7 million) and Virginia (17.0 million).

859.0 million pounds

The estimated weight of cranberries produced in the United States in 2016. Wisconsin was estimated to lead all states in the production of cranberries with 521.0 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (estimated at 207.0 million pounds). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington were also estimated to have substantial production, ranging from 19.4 to 58.8 million pounds.

3.1 billion pounds

The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2015.