Updated: Nov. 20, 2018 at 4:03 PM

Trump pardons Peas, the National Thanksgiving Turkey (7 images)

President Donald Trump issues the annual pardoning of a turkey, this year named "Peas," who will be spared from being served at the Thanksgiving dinner table, at the White House, on November 20, 2018. Along with his alternate "Carrots," the turkeys will be sent to a petting zoo in Virginia.

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

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

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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

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

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