The 10 crazy numbers of Thanksgiving

The traditional Thanksgiving feast fills stomachs, homes and hearts but also trash cans and sometimes makes you dizzy. Here are 10 unusual figures about the celebration, to better understand it…

2

Is the number of turkeys that win the jackpot: lives saved. Each year, the President of the United States grants his annual “pardon” to two beautiful turkeys during a ceremony well attended in the country. If the tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, this ritual is rather recent… But in fact, what has become of them? Officially, some spent happy days on an estate in Virginia, others went to a research center specializing in poultry. Unfortunately, very few have reached the age of two, probably too fat…

46 millions

of turkeys will be eaten in the United States alone, an average figure over previous years. But it is also a good indicator of the morale of American households who will find themselves with their families and at the stove on Thursday, November 23 and the following days. In total, 88% of Americans will eat turkey! The 6% vegetarian Americans will enjoy turkey accompaniments or alternatives.

4.500

A very impressive figure since it corresponds to the average number of calories of a complete Thanksgiving meal per person. It must be said that a turkey which weighs on average 6.8 kg, stuffed with squash and other delicious dishes, all garnished with potatoes and corn cobs… To put this figure into perspective, you would have to run at least 100 km or by bike. Good luck !

102.000

More than 100,000 tons of turkeys will be thrown away after Thanksgiving again this year in the United States: the equivalent of 150 billion euros, in the country alone. A waste that we talk about too little, just like the packaging or plastic accumulated after Black Friday sales, the day after Thanksgiving Thursday…

3,5 millions

The estimate of people expected again this year to parade in the streets of New York, around giant balloons, floats, brass bands and even singers. We told you about it last year here. The 2023 parade takes place Thursday, November 23, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time. If it is the largest in the United States, it is not the only one. Six other parades take place: in Philadelphia for example, it would be difficult to miss the Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade.

250.000

Amazon announced it a few months ago: the company is looking to hire 250,000 people in the United States for the logistics needs of the end-of-year holidays, including, of course, Thanksgiving. This represents a salary investment of $1.3 billion. The peak of activity is on Cyber ​​Monday, the Monday following Black Friday, which is dedicated solely to online sales. A word of wisdom among expatriates across the Atlantic…

10

Officially, 10 countries celebrate Thanksgiving around the world, beyond the American diaspora of course. But the festival does not fall on the same day. In Canada, for example, the celebration takes place on the second Monday in October and is not necessarily a public holiday. Furthermore, Thanksgiving does not have the same history or the same meaning. In Japan, the event corresponds to a ritual of thanks for the first rice harvest of the season. In Africa, a country, founded by freed American slaves, celebrates Thanksgiving almost like in the United States: Liberia.

23.000

air flights are scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 2023 in the United States, making it the busiest day of the year, even ahead of summer 2023, according to Cirium, a source of aeronautical analyzes. In total, 3 million seats have been reserved and the companies are still promising many reservations possible during the Thanksgiving period. International travel from the United States is experiencing strong growth compared to 2022, particularly to Europe.

1.000.000.000.000

You read correctly: A trillion dollars, the experts’ estimate for all retail sales made throughout the Thanksgiving period in 2023 and in the United States. Which would represent a record in the last two decades.

62

Nearly two thirds of French people make purchases each year during Black Friday according to a BVA-Orange survey, an event which therefore goes beyond American borders. In 2020, their average budget was 33 euros. For a third of French people, Black Friday is a good way to save money for Christmas. The podium of their purchases? Tech, fashion and beauty.