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Thanksgiving: 41 trivia questions with sources

Thanksgiving history, proclamations, parades, foods, public observance, and the differences between American and Canadian calendars.

41 questions · 13 easy, 15 medium, 13 hard · 41 with a source link

All 19 categoriesDraw them one at a time

Suggested round splits

3 ways to break this category into rounds. The printed sheet keeps the whole list in one run, so split it while you plan rather than while you host.

  • History and proclamations

    Early events, national decisions, named leaders, and changes in observance.

  • Food and harvest

    Ingredients, dishes, farming, and the foods associated with modern gatherings.

  • Public traditions

    Parades, sport, travel, charitable practice, and different national calendars.

All 41 questions with answers

41 carry a pinned source revision

  1. On which weekday is U.S. Thanksgiving celebrated?

    the fourth Thursday of NovemberChecked against: Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November (which became the uniform date country-wide in 1941).Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  2. In what year did the U.S. Thanksgiving date become uniform nationwide?

    1941Checked against: Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November (which became the uniform date country-wide in 1941).Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  3. What is the earliest possible calendar date for U.S. Thanksgiving?

    November 22Checked against: The earliest Thanksgiving can occur is November 22; the latest is November 28.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  4. What is the latest possible calendar date for U.S. Thanksgiving?

    November 28Checked against: The earliest Thanksgiving can occur is November 22; the latest is November 28.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  5. From what year does the modern U.S. national Thanksgiving celebration date?

    1863Checked against: The modern national celebration dates to 1863; prior to this, it was a regional holiday.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  6. Which year supplied the harvest celebration later popularized as the first Thanksgiving?

    1621Checked against: the famous 1621 harvest celebration popularized as the "first Thanksgiving"Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  7. Where and when was the first known civil day of thanksgiving in the New England tradition?

    Plymouth Colony in 1623Checked against: the first known civil day of thanksgiving in the New England tradition was declared at Plymouth Colony in 1623Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  8. Which bird leads the source's list of New England Thanksgiving foods?

    turkeyChecked against: Thanksgiving dinner often consists of foods associated with New England harvest celebrations: turkey, potatoes (usually mashed and sweet), squash, corn (maize), green beans, cranberries (typically as cranberry sauce), and pumpkin pie.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)?oldid=1364510851

  9. When is Canadian Thanksgiving held each year?

    the second Monday in OctoberChecked against: Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual Canadian holiday held on the second Monday in October.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)?oldid=1351745839

  10. Since what date has Thanksgiving been an annual official holiday in Canada?

    November 6, 1879Checked against: Thanksgiving has been officially celebrated as an annual holiday in Canada since November 6, 1879.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)?oldid=1351745839

  11. Which governor general issued Canada's 1957 Thanksgiving proclamation?

    Vincent MasseyChecked against: On January 31, 1957, the Governor General of Canada Vincent Massey issued a proclamation.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)?oldid=1351745839

  12. Which four countries does the source list as celebrating Thanksgiving nationally?

    the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, and LiberiaChecked against: Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving?oldid=1358813808

  13. Which Australian territory also observes Thanksgiving?

    Norfolk IslandChecked against: It is also observed in the Australian territory of Norfolk Island.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving?oldid=1358813808

  14. What did Thanksgiving originally give thanks for?

    the blessings of the harvestChecked against: It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving?oldid=1358813808

  15. What was the first permanent English colony in New England?

    Plymouth ColonyChecked against: Plymouth Colony (sometimes spelled Plimouth) was the first permanent English colony in New England, founded in 1620.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  16. In what year was Plymouth Colony founded?

    1620Checked against: Plymouth Colony (sometimes spelled Plimouth) was the first permanent English colony in New England, founded in 1620.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  17. Who settled Plymouth Colony?

    the passengers on the MayflowerChecked against: It was settled by the passengers on the Mayflower at a location that had previously been surveyed and named by Captain John Smith.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  18. Who had previously surveyed and named Plymouth Colony's location?

    Captain John SmithChecked against: It was settled by the passengers on the Mayflower at a location that had previously been surveyed and named by Captain John Smith.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  19. Which Wampanoag chief made a treaty with Plymouth Colony?

    MassasoitChecked against: The colony established a treaty with Wampanoag chief Massasoit which helped to ensure its success.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  20. With which colony did Plymouth merge in 1691?

    the Massachusetts Bay ColonyChecked against: The colony was ultimately merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony and other territories in 1691 to form the Province of Massachusetts Bay.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Colony?oldid=1359126803

  21. What was Squanto's Wampanoag tribal affiliation?

    the Patuxet tribeChecked against: was a member of the Patuxet tribe of Wampanoags, best known for being an early liaisonSource: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  22. What was Squanto's original name?

    TisquantumChecked against: In 1614, Tisquantum was kidnapped by English sea captain Thomas Hunt, who trafficked him to Spain.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  23. Who kidnapped Tisquantum in 1614?

    Thomas HuntChecked against: In 1614, Tisquantum was kidnapped by English sea captain Thomas Hunt, who trafficked him to Spain, selling him in the city of Málaga.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  24. What language did Tisquantum learn during captivity?

    EnglishChecked against: Having learned English during his captivity, he eventually travelled to England and managed to find a way back across the Atlantic.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  25. Which three roles did Tisquantum fill for the Pilgrims?

    interpreter, guide, and advisorChecked against: He then lived with the Pilgrims for 20 months as an interpreter, guide, and advisor.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  26. What crop skills did Tisquantum teach the settlers?

    how to sow and fertilize native cropsChecked against: He introduced the settlers to the fur trade and taught them how to sow and fertilize native crops.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto?oldid=1361840059

  27. What type of ship was the Mayflower?

    an English square-rigged merchant sailing shipChecked against: Mayflower was an English square-rigged merchant sailing ship, active from before 1609 until 1622.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower?oldid=1365650728

  28. How many passengers crossed on the Mayflower in 1620?

    102 passengersChecked against: After 10 weeks at sea, Mayflower, with 102 passengers and a crew of about 30, reached what is today the United States.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower?oldid=1365650728

  29. How long was the Mayflower at sea before reaching Cape Cod Bay?

    10 weeksChecked against: After 10 weeks at sea, Mayflower, with 102 passengers and a crew of about 30, reached what is today the United States.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower?oldid=1365650728

  30. What agreement established a rudimentary government before the passengers disembarked?

    the Mayflower CompactChecked against: Before disembarking from her, they wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that established a rudimentary governmentSource: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower?oldid=1365650728

  31. How many living turkey species are there?

    twoChecked against: There are two extant turkey speciesSource: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)?oldid=1365991138

  32. What is the fleshy wattle above a male turkey's beak called?

    a snoodChecked against: Males of both species have a distinctive singular fleshy wattle, called a snood, that hangs from the base of the culmen.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)?oldid=1365991138

  33. To which continents are turkeys indigenous?

    the AmericasChecked against: Turkeys are large, heavyset galliforms in the genus Meleagris, indigenous to the Americas.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)?oldid=1365991138

  34. Approximately how long ago was the turkey domesticated?

    2,000 years agoChecked against: The North American wild turkey is the ancestor of the domestic turkey, which was domesticated approximately 2,000 years ago by indigenous peoples.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_(bird)?oldid=1365991138

  35. What color does a ripe cranberry turn?

    redChecked against: The fruit is a berry that is larger than the leaves of the plant; it is initially light green, turning red when ripe.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry?oldid=1364646636

  36. Which sauce traditionally accompanies Thanksgiving turkey in the U.S. and Canada?

    Cranberry sauceChecked against: Cranberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to turkey at Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners in the U.S. and Canada.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry?oldid=1364646636

  37. What type of filling does pumpkin pie have?

    a spiced, pumpkin-based custard fillingChecked against: Pumpkin pie is a dessert pie with a spiced, pumpkin-based custard filling.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_pie?oldid=1365499457

  38. Which four spices are named in pumpkin pie spice?

    cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clovesChecked against: The pie is generally flavored with pumpkin pie spice, a blend that includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves or allspice.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_pie?oldid=1365499457

  39. Who created the green bean casserole recipe in 1955?

    Dorcas ReillyChecked against: The recipe was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly at the Campbell Soup Company.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_bean_casserole?oldid=1354893484

  40. In what year was the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade first held?

    1924Checked against: The parade was first held in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy's_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade?oldid=1362034165

  41. What was the surname of the activist who campaigned for an American Thanksgiving holiday?

    HaleChecked against: Hale famously campaigned for the creation of the American Thanksgiving holiday and for the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Josepha_Hale?oldid=1363978243