License Photo Trump reaches out as first lady Melania Trump watches, prior to Trump issuing the annual pardoning. Abraham Lincoln is said to have been the first president to pardon a turkey in 1863. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |

Gifting turkeys to the first family was seen as a symbol of "good cheer" in the early 20th century. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

First lady Melania Trump walks along the colonnade to attend President Donald Trump's annual pardoning of the turkey. First lady Grace Coolidge accepted a bird from a Girl Scout in 1925. Rosalynn Carter sent their turkey to live in a mini zoo in 1978. Not long after the Reagans established the tradition of sending turkeys to live on a farm. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

President Trump (L) makes remarks as Melania Trump listens prior to Trump issuing the annual pardoning. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Peas the pardoned turkey will join past pardoned turkeys at Gobblers Rest on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

Arabella Rose Kushner (L), daughter of Ivanka and Jared Kushner, reaches out to pet Peas. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo