Thanksgiving in Canada
by Many American people are surprised to learn that Thanksgiving exists in other countries besides the United States. Americans usually consider Thanksgiving as originating in the United States. Because of the kindness and generosity showed to the Pilgrims by the Indians, we often think of them sharing the celebration.
Most Americans are taken aback when they learn that other countries also observe the Thanksgiving holiday. It is said that they believe it is an American holiday due to the fact Indians were said to have helped the Pilgrims survive in America and they then shared a very large feast.
But, other countries have Thanksgiving traditions as well and Canada is one of those. Thanksgiving holidays are different in Canada and America. The two don’t exactly run on the same lines. In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated on the last Thursday of November. In Canada, Thanksgiving occurs on the second Monday in October.
While the American thanksgiving was initiated as a religious holiday, the celebration in Canada was the idea of their government. The Canadian Thanksgiving season also contains religious elements. Thanksgiving is to give credit to god. Thanksgiving is celebrated by all manner of Canadians no matter what their belief in a deity or skepticisms are.
Canadians and Americans observe Thanksgiving almost alike and most of the food items are the same. Turkey, dressing, potatoes, cranberry, pumpkin pie and a few more goodies.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by Martin Frobisher, an early Canadian. A settler by the name of Frobisher looked for the Northwest passage. However, his search was unsuccessful. He had a party which celebrated his survival along with his finding of Newfoundland. In the same era, French settlers who successfully crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with Samuel de Champlain, also held large feasts with the Indians.
The Thanksgiving Day holiday in Canada occurs earlier in the year than it does in America. Thanksgiving marks the end of the seasonal harvesting period for Canadians.
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