Turkey as the National Bird?
Ben Franklin, in a letter to his daughter, argued that the Turkey should be America's national bird. Unlike the bald eagle, which he considered to be both a coward and inedible, the turkey was both brave and delicious!
Books on Turkeys in History
The Turkey by Call Number: Crerar, Bookstacks Call Number: SF507.S49 2006ISBN: 9780252031632Publication Date: 2006-09-22
A Great and Godly Adventure by Call Number: Regenstein, Bookstacks, Call Number: F68 .H69 2006ISBN: 9781586483739Publication Date: 2006-10-02
Thanksgiving by Call Number: Regenstein, Bookstacks, Call Number: GT4975 .B33 2009ISBN: 1584658010Publication Date: 2009-10-30
Thanksgiving by Call Number: Regenstein, Bookstacks Call Number: GT4975.A64ISBN: 0871969742Publication Date: 1985-09-01
Fun Facts: The Turkey in America before Columbus
The Aztecs deified the turkey as Chalchiuhtotolin, the Jeweled Bird and believed the turkey could cleanse humans of contamination and absolve them of guilt
Image of An Aztec Emperor in the guise of a Turkey from Codex Borbonicus (Special Collections, Rare Books ff F1219.C640 1974)