Thanksgiving turkeys pardoned by presidents

President Barack Obama, alongside his daughter Malia Obama (R), and National Turkey Federation Chairman Walter Pelletier (2nd L), pet a turkey named Courage during the annual turkey pardoning ceremony for Thanksgiving on the North Portico of the White House, on Nov. 25, 2009. After the ceremony, the 20-week-old, 45-pound turkey from Princeton, North Carolina, along with a backup named Carolina should Courage get stage fright, will fly to Disneyland in southern California to take part in the theme park's annual Thanksgiving Day parade.

Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images