Statistically Speaking

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate a productive harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. This week, we take a look at some of the lesser-known numbers associated with the holiday:

Million turkeys raised in the United States in 2009: 250

Billion pounds of sweet potatoes produced in the United States in 2009: 1.8

Pounds of turkey consumed by the typical American in 2007: 13.8

Cities in the United States named after the holiday’s main course: 3 (Turkey, Texas; Turkey Creek, La.; Turkey, N.C.)

Cities/townships in the U.S. that are named "Cranberry": 8

Sources: freegovinfo.info/node/1509,
www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014332.html