Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude and family gatherings, is also ripe with fascinating history and quirky facts that many of us might not know. From the origins of this beloved holiday to the strange and wonderful traditions that have emerged over the years, there's so much more to Thanksgiving than just turkey and pumpkin pie.

Get ready to challenge your students, colleagues, friends, impress your family, and maybe even surprise yourself with this ultimate compilation of Thanksgiving trivia. Who knows? You might just become the reigning champion of Thanksgiving knowledge this holiday season.

Use the questions below to create your own interactive quiz here for free.

26 Thanksgiving trivia questions to use in a quiz

Trivia: Historical origins of Thanksgiving

1. How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last? Answer: It was a three-day feast, a far cry from our one-day extravaganza.

2. What meats graced the table at the original Thanksgiving feast? Answer: Turkey might dominate today's tables, but the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe enjoyed venison, swan, duck, and goose.

3. In what year was the first Thanksgiving Day parade held by Macy's? Answer: 1924
4. What is the name of the famous rock credited as the Pilgrims' landing place? Answer: Plymouth Rock
5. Which founding father argued that the turkey should be the national bird of the United States? Answer: Benjamin Franklin
6. Which Native American language was crucial during the first Thanksgiving? Answer: Wampanoag
7. In what year did Thanksgiving become an annual national holiday? Answer: 1863
8. Which U.S. President proclaimed the last Thursday in November as the legal holiday for Thanksgiving? Answer: Abraham Lincoln
9. What was the original name of the Pilgrims? Answer: Separatists
10. The tradition of breaking the wishbone to grant a wish comes from which ancient civilization? Answer: Ancient Rome

Trivia: Feast traditions at Thanksgiving

1. Average calories consumed during Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: Prepare to indulge: the average person consumes between 3,000 to 4,500 calories during the feast! This would be great as a numeric poll in a quiz!

2. Cost of the world's most expensive Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: A staggering $181,000 — complete with the finest ingredients — was served at New York City's Old Homestead Steakhouse.

3. Approximately how many pumpkin pies are consumed each Thanksgiving in America? Answer: 50 million
4. Which traditional Thanksgiving staple was likely not served at the Pilgrims' feast? Answer: Potatoes
5. Name the U.S. state that produces the most turkeys annually? Answer: Minnesota
6. Which utensil was not used by the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving dinner? Answer: A fork (Forks were not introduced to the Pilgrims until 10 years after the first Thanksgiving.)
7. About how many turkeys are eaten each year in the U.S. on Thanksgiving? Answer: About 46 million
8. Name the popular Thanksgiving-related ceremony that saves one lucky turkey from ending up on the dinner table. Answer: The Presidential Turkey Pardon

Trivia: Sporting & Thanksgiving day parade traditions

1. When and where was the first Thanksgiving football game? Answer: Football has been a Turkey Day staple since 1876, a tradition more enduring than the holiday’s parades.
2. Which city boasts the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade? Anwer: Philadelphia takes the cake, with its parade starting before the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

Trivia: Modern celebrations at Thanksgiving time

1. What percentage of Americans travel more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving celebrations? Answer: 20%
2. Which President tried to change the date of Thanksgiving to extend the holiday shopping season? Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
3. What year saw the introduction of the first balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Answer: 1927 (Felix the Cat)
4. In Canada, what month is Thanksgiving celebrated? Answer: October
5. What is the day after Thanksgiving commonly known as, marking the start of the holiday shopping season? Answer: Black Friday
6. What city outside of the U.S. hosts its own Thanksgiving parade inspired by American traditions? Answer: Toronto, Canada

Why not create an interactive Thanksgiving quiz with Vevox?

Ready to claim your title as the ultimate champion of Thanksgiving trivia? Armed with these facts, not only will you dazzle your students or audience, but you'll also carry forward the rich heritage and quirky tales that give Thanksgiving its unique charm. From the feast's historic beginnings to modern-day celebrations, there’s a story behind every tradition, waiting to be told.

Get started with Vevox to run your own thanksgiving interactive quiz.