The president, 82, addressed crowds from the South Lawn on Monday morning, giving out pardons to the two birds – Peach and Blossom

While the tradition of the official turkey presentation began in 1947 when President Harry Truman was president, they were frequently gobbled up.

Minnesota birds Peach and Blossom receive the ritualistic waiver as Thanksgiving approaches. “They tell me 2,500 people are here, looking for a pardon!”