Canadian Thanksgiving is an annual holiday and harvest festival celebrated on the second Monday in October). It is a time for families to gather and enjoy a turkey dinner while celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. The holiday has its origins in religion, but it has recently become a reason for families and friends to enjoy a delicious meal together and express gratitude for their life.
The first Canadian Thanksgiving was reportedly hosted in 1578 by the English explorer Martin Frobisher in what is now Newfoundland. At the time, Frobisher and his expedition attempted to travel through the Northwest Passage safely. The celebration marked their safe arrival to the New World. That first celebratory meal consisted of a simple but delicious combination of salted beef and mushy peas. Over time, Canadian Thanksgiving evolved to become a celebration of being thankful for what one has and the bounty of the previous year).
Canadian Thanksgiving is often compared to the American holiday of the same name, but there are some differences. Here are a few ways in which Canadian Thanksgiving differs from American Thanksgiving:
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Date: Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October, while American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
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Origins: Canadian Thanksgiving predates the United States Thanksgiving holiday in Plymouth Plantation by 43 years. Canada’s holiday was initially created to express thanks for explorers’ safe voyages into the New World. However, over time it evolved into a religious holiday to thank God for a bountiful Fall harvest.
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Celebrations: While both holidays involve gathering with family and friends and enjoying a turkey dinner, Canadian Thanksgiving is generally a more low-key affair than American Thanksgiving.
In summary, Canadian Thanksgiving is a holiday and harvest festival celebrated on the second Monday in October. It has its origins in religion, but it has evolved into a celebration of being thankful for what one has and the bounty of the previous year. While it shares some similarities with the American holiday of the same name, there are also some differences.
