The turkey
was originally domesticated in Mexico, and was brought into Europe early
in the 16th century. Since that time, turkeys have been extensively raised
because of the excellent quality of their meat and eggs. Some of the common
breeds of turkey in the United States are the Bronze, Narragansett, White
Holland, and Bourbon Red.
Though
there is no real evidence that turkey was served at the Pilgrims' first
thanksgiving, in a book written by the Pilgrims' Governor Bradford he does
make mention of wild turkeys. In a letter sent to England, another Pilgrim
describes how the governor sent "four men out fowling" returning with turkeys,
ducks and geese.
Benjamin Franklin:
"I wish
the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country:
he is a Bird of bad moral character: like those among Men who live by Sharping
and Robbing, he is generally poor and very often lousy. The Turkey is a
much more respectable Bird and withal a true original
Native of North America"