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Here is some trivia to use to amaze your friends and family this holiday, brought to you from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Which states produce most of the traditional Thanksgiving Day foods many of us will be eating? Wisconsin is number one for producing cranberries (if you’re a native I hope you knew that). Minnesota produces the most turkeys (no mean comments, please, we’re talking about fowl only!), North Carolina produces the most sweet potatoes, and Illinois grows the most pumpkins. Wisconsin also leads in “contracted production of snap (green) beans.” So you see, Wisconsin is a great place to be for this holiday!

There are three places in the U.S. named after the bird of honor, the largest being Turkey, Texas (2006 population: 489 residents).

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, thanks to Abraham Lincoln.

Want more? Go to Facts for Features: Thanksgiving Day Nov. 22, 2007. For truly enquiring minds, there are fact releases for other observances throughout the year (going back to 2000), such as other holidays, the SuperBowl, the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, and the Presidential Elections.

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!