Washington, D.C.
(AP/Alex Brandon)
The nation’s capital is a great spot to soak up American history on a decidedly American day. The District is full of attractions commemorating the men and women who have shaped the country, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, who had a direct hand in the birth and continuation of Thanksgiving, and Thomas Jefferson, who opposed the celebration of the holiday.
Turkey Day in D.C. isn’t just about looking back; it’s also about looking forward – specifically for a few lucky turkeys. In an act of holiday mercy, the President has pardoned a turkey each year since 1989, sending it to live out its days on a farm instead of meeting the same fate as the estimated 50 million of its winged brethren who end up on Thanksgiving dinner tables every year.
