subject: Thanksgiving In Canada [print this page] The average American would be surprised to find out that Thanksgiving is a common holiday in other countries as well. Americans usually consider Thanksgiving as originating in the United States. We think of Pilgrims and Indians sharing a celebration because the Indians had helped the Pilgrims to survive in America. Most Americans are taken aback when they learn that other countries also observe the Thanksgiving holiday. They tend to believe it is an American holiday because the Indians helped the Pilgrims to survive in America and shared a grand feast.
Countries such as Canada also celebrate Thanksgiving traditions as well. No, Thanksgiving in Canada is not a mirror image of its twin in the United States. They are similar but have their differences. In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated on the last Thursday of November. Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday in October in Canada.
Thanksgiving was actually started as a government idea in Canada, a major difference from the religious holiday it is seen as in America. The Canadian Thanksgiving season also contains religious elements. Giving God credit for all the blessing we have received is the basis for the celebration. Thanksgiving is celebrated by all manner of Canadians no matter what their belief in a deity (or disbeliefs) are.
Canada and America share the same traditional foods for Thanksgiving Day dinner. People in each country traditionally dine on the same courses, including roast turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and other holiday staples.
Thanksgiving Day in Canada falls earlier in the year than it does in America. Thanksgiving marks the end of the seasonal harvesting period for Canadians.
