THANKSGIVING IN KANADA

Celebration in Canada

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. In the United States, the same day is celebrated as Columbus Day and is an official holiday. The origin of Thanksgiving in Canada is different from in America. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving as a sign of gratitude for the success of the harvest.

Thanksgiving is a celebration for 3 days on weekends. In some provinces, celebrations are even up to four days, from Friday to Monday. Thanksgiving is only celebrated with families in the English-speaking province of Canada, and is not so celebrated by Canadian citizens of French descent. The day of enjoying Thanksgiving is usually not specified, it can be eaten on Thursday, Friday or Sunday as long as it's still on Thanksgiving weekend. The Thanksgiving meal for Canadians can take place many times. Today with relatives from the husband's side, the next day can be with other relatives. Although hereditary Thanksgiving is celebrated with the family, a Thanksgiving weekend holiday is often used by young couples to take a walk enjoying the views of autumn leaves.

In Canada, Santa does not march on Thanksgiving. The only biggest Thanksgiving parade in Canada was the Oktoberfest parade in Kitchener-Waterloo.

History of Thanksgiving in Canada

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada began British explorer Martin Frobisher who tried to find a way north to Asia from the American continent. He did not succeed in finding the Bering Strait, but managed to establish a settlement in Canada. In 1578, Martin Frobisher held a memorial service in what is now called the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. That means thank you for surviving a long journey. The commemorative ceremony led by Martin Frobisher is the first Canadian Thanksgiving, as well as the first Thanksgiving celebration in North America. Many other settlers came to Canada then continued this tradition. Martin Frobisher later received the title of warrior from the United Kingdom and his name was enshrined for a bay in northern Canada called the Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers who managed to cross the ocean under the explorer leader Samuel de Champlain also held a large party to give thanks. They even formed a social gathering called Ordre de bon temps to increase the spirit and improvement of nutrition of French settlers, while sharing with neighbors who were native to Canada.

After the Seven Years' War ended in 1763 with New France falling into British hands, residents of Halifax celebrated Thanksgiving in a special way.

After the end of the American revolution, American refugees who were loyal supporters of the Kingdom of Great Britain flowed into Canada. The refugees brought along the American Thanksgiving traditions and habits to Canada, although Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada will continue to be related to worship and the traditions of the main European and British harvest festivals. The church is decorated with cornucopia (funnel-shaped ornaments containing vegetables and fruits), pumpkins, corn, wheat bonds, and various other crops.

In the end, in 1879, the Canadian Parliament established November 6 as Thanksgiving and an official holiday in Canada. After that, Thanksgiving celebrations often change, but often on the third Monday in October. After World War I, Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were both celebrated on Monday around November 11. Ten years later in 1931, the two celebrations were separated and Armistice Day was called Remembrance Day.

On January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament established:

"General Thanksgiving for the Almighty God who blesses Canada with abundant harvests ... will be commemorated on the second Monday of October."

Canada's first Thanksgiving Day after the Confederate deed was held on a holiday on April 5, 1872 to celebrate the healing of Prince Wales (later King Edward VII of the United Kingdom) of being seriously ill. Since 1879, Thanksgiving has always been celebrated every year, but the date has only been set for that year and is always changing.