On this day, November the 29th, in the year of 1934, the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears played in the first nationally broadcasted pro football game.

Looking to promote his newly relocated Detroit Lions (before being the Portsmouth Spartans), owner George Richards and Bears owner George Halas agreed to hold the game on Thanksgiving to boost ticket revenue.

Additionally, Richards got the game to be broadcasted on NBC Radio, being the first nationally broadcasted National Football League game, a feat in its own right.

Being attended by 26,000 spectators, the idea of a Thanksgiving and nationally broadcasted game were successful.

Today, the NFL holds three nationally broadcasted games on Thanksgiving Day, with the Lions having a game on the day since (outside of pauses in league and team history), their record on the day being thirty-seven-forty-three-two (wins-losses-ties) (History) (Click On Detroit).