The first president to spare a turkey is said to have been Abraham Lincoln, whose son became so attached to the family’s Christmas turkey that he forced his dad to keep it as a pet. Lincoln gave the lucky bird the run of the White House. Modern presidents have continued the tradition. And though the turkeys no longer live at the White House, they do spend the days leading up to their pardon staying in a suite at the W Hotel in D.C. The Daily Beast takes a look at the beloved tradition through the years.
