Today’s Doodle, which can only be seen in the USA, shows a cartoon turkey looking around nervously before making a smooth getaway, armed with a suitcase and sunglasses. 

The Google Doodle team said: “Unlike his domesticated brethren, the Turkey in today’s Doodle is taking flight… from the Thanksgiving table.

“Three hundred ninety-six years ago, the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest with Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe. 

“As time flew by, feasts like these became beloved traditions that flocked through the colonies, and in 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.

“Though the pardoning of turkeys has been a presidential privilege since 1989, the Turkey in this Doodle has decided to pardon itself. 

“Luckily, there are plenty of mashed potatoes to go around. Happy Thanksgiving 2017!”

Google is marking Thanksgiving by transforming its iconic logo as millions of Americans gather with their friends and family to celebrate the holiday. 

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a US national holiday that takes place on the fourth Thursday of November each year. 

Historians believe that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Massachusetts for three days in October 1621, though there is evidence to suggest an event was held two years earlier in Virginia.

Why do we eat Turkey at Thanksgiving? 

Early Thanksgiving revellers feasted on fowl and beef, rather than a traditional turkey.

No-one knows for sure why turkey became the cornerstone of Thanksgiving dinner, although it is likely to be because the flightless bird is native to the North Americas. 

When is Black Friday? 

A relatively recent tradition is Black Friday, which falls the day after the Thanksgiving.

On Black Friday, retailers slash the prices on thousands of products to signal the start of the Christmas gift-buying season. 

Visit the Express.co.uk Black Friday page for all the latest deals and offers.