Today (Oct. 13) is Canadian Thanksgiving. While we know all about the origins and traditions of our Thanksgiving holiday, there’s a good chance you’re unfamiliar with the Canadian version, especially if you’re reading this right now.
Fortunately for you, we gathered some important facts about Canadian Thanksgiving to broaden your knowledge on the holiday.
What does Canadian Thanksgiving celebrate?
There are many layers to the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving. Part of the holiday’s origins center around a harvest festival. According to Almanac.com, this celebration held by the indigenous people of Canada was to honor the bounty gathered from the autumnal harvest.
The earliest known recognition of the holiday dates back to 1578. At that time English explorer Martin Frobisher gathered members of his crew for a special mean to thank God for their safe travels into then-unsettled areas in northern North America.
Today, the holiday honors the delicious seasonal food that’s harvested in autumn and acts as a way to kick off fall. Families do gather, but it’s done more locally with far less extensive travel. This differs greatly to the United States, where Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year of the year for air travel.
Why Is Canadian Thanksgiving in October?
According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the date when the holiday was recognized jumped around for centuries. For example, in 1872, the first Canadian Thanksgiving following Confederation was actually celebrated on April 5. The reason for this was to celebrate the then-current Prince of Wales, who had recovered for serious illness. That royal would later become King Edward VII.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the holiday was held, at times, in November and December. The first time Canada first observed Thanksgiving as an annual holiday was on November 6, 1879. Later, beginning in 1921, Thanksgiving was recognized on the same day as Armistice Day, which was the first Monday of the week of November 11.
Finally, Canadian Parliament proclaimed in 1957 that the Thanksgiving holiday would officially be recognized on the second Monday in October, to allow for a long weekend while weather was still mild in the country.
Are There Any Special Foods Prepared?
Like American Thanksgiving, a Canadian Thanksgiving meal traditionally includes a turkey and other autumnal side dishes. Per Country Living, these sides include mashed potatoes, yams, corn, squash, and other seasonal offerings. Canadian bacon also is known to make an appearance on the menu.
As for dessert, Canadian Thanksgiving includes pumpkin pie. Although, the Canadian version tends to be a little less sweet and have more spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. Other common desserts include maple-walnut cakeand butter tarts, a classic Canadian treat.
Are There Any Othe Unique Traditions Associated With the Holiday?
Like its American neighbors, football is part of the Canadian Thanksgiving festivities. The Canadian Football League (CFL) typically has an afternoon game on Thanksgiving Day. There are also additional games that take place on the Saturday and Sunday leading into the holiday.
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