By the numbers: Thanksgiving and the Presidents updated 1:36 PM
EST, Thu November 22, 2012 With daughters Sasha and Malia
looking on, President Barack Obama pardons Cobbler, the National
Thanksgiving Turkey, at The White House Wednesday. - Presidents
have played a role in the annual Thanksgiving celebration since
1789 - President Obama continued the tradition by pardoning a
turkey at The White House this week - One president opted for
possum instead of turkey for his Thanksgiving meal (CNN) --
Throughout American history, the annual celebration of family
and gratitude known as Thanksgiving has been a central part of
The White House and the U.S. presidency. This week, President
Barack Obama kept the tradition alive by pardoning Cobbler, the
National Thanksgiving Turkey, in a Rose Garden ceremony. His
feathered understudy, Gobbler, was also allowed to live, and
both birds will live out the rest of their days on display at
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in Virginia.
Here is a look, by the nu