A Week 'til Thanksgiving in Canada

Posted by Susanna McLeod Sep 30, 2007

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving,” I was asked yesterday. “It’s next weekend.” Acckk! I hadn’t turned the calendar page over to glimpse October yet and thought the holiday was two or more weeks away. I scrambled to write a list of goodies for Thanksgiving dinner – sweet potatoes, mixed veggies and potatoes, apple and pumpkin pies, cranberries, and as always, the roasted turkey with gravy. When put together, it all resembles autumn with comforting orange, brown and russet hues.

The first Thanksgiving in North America happened in 1578 in Newfoundland, when the English explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks for arriving safely in the New World. (After such a long ocean voyage, I’m sure he was very thankful for reaching solid land.) It was also a European tradition to celebrate the harvest in October.

Fêted in North America in October or November, Thanksgiving finally became a proper national holiday in 1879, set for November 6th of each year. In 1957, the Canadian Government reset the day to the second Monday of October, emphasizing it as “a day of thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.” The October date works well in Canada, since our harvesting is done in early fall. Rather than harvest celebrations, Americans observe Thanksgiving for the arrival and survival of the Pilgrims in 1621.

But the Americans aren’t without celebration in October - the same date is recognized as Columbus Day. The Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus is acknowledged for arriving in North America in October, 1492.

Since Canadians are so closely linked to the United States, it’s as if we get to enjoy Thanksgiving twice. Get ready for the big American holiday on November 22nd this year.

I'm ready to start cooking. Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!