Canada Thanksgiving Day: October 11
Canada Celebrates Thanksgiving Day as a National Holiday.
Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day annually on the second Monday of October since 1957. People take time to give thanks for a good harvest and other blessing they received in the past year.
Canada Thanksgiving Day History
Long before European explorers and settlers arrived in Canada, the natives were already holding ceremonies to rejoice for the bountiful harvest. Meanwhile, the thanksgivings for the Europeans were held to give thanks for the special fortunes they had for the past year.
The fleeing refugees of the American Civil war introduced the custom of an annual thanksgiving festival in Canada. Thanksgiving Day was held every year from 1879 but each year the date has changed and each year there was a theme. For several years, the theme was about the abundant harvest. However, in later years the theme was about Queen Victoria’s golden and diamond jubilees and King Edward VII’s coronation. Thanksgiving Day since 1957 has always been held on the second Monday in October.
Canada Thanksgiving Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
On the second Monday of October, people take a day off from work. During Thanksgiving weekend many people take the time to visit family or friends who live far away. For most families they prepare a special meal to eat during this three-day weekend. Traditional meals for Thanksgiving include roast turkey, pumpkin, corn ears and pecan nuts. For non-European people their Thanksgiving meal may consist of other non-traditional foods. People also take advantage of this three-day weekend holiday to take a short vacation. Fans of Canadian football may opt to watch the Thanksgiving Day Classic games instead. Other popular activities during Thanksgiving in Canada include camping, hiking and fishing. This gives the people of Canada the last chance to enjoy the colors of Canadian autumn before winter sets in.
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