Unlike our American counterparts, the Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October. It had humble beginnings. It was about the the harvest season. Apparently the English explorer Martin Frobisher after establishing a settlement in 1578 celebrated surviving trying to find the way to the Orient or the infamous Northwest Passage. His was the first documented Thanksgiving celebration by an European in North America. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain had a celebration in 1604 to give thanks he crossed the ocean and was safe in the new land. Halifax had a special celebration according to history when the 7 years war ended in 1763 when Nova Scotia became British and not French anymore. After the American Revolution when loyalists came to Canada some new settlers brought the idea of an American Thanksgiving. The day in Canada floated from the Spring to coinciding with Armistice Day until it became Remembrance Day in November. Hard to believe that it took a proclamation in the Canadian Parliament January 31, 1957 to make the day official every year. So it seems- " A day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest which Canada has been blessed... to be observed on the second Monday in October" made it tradition. Schools and churches across the nation find ways to celebrate. Children learn about the holiday. Churches usually have a display of the general harvest that is known in this great land. Corn, squash, sweet potato, wheat sheaves, turnip, parsnip, cranberries, apples, carrots, pumpkins, onions, fall flowers like sunflowers could be some of the many fall items included in any celebration. For the average Canadian it means getting together with family for the traditional Canadian meal of "turkey with all the trimmings." Coming home for Thanksgiving or being the host/hostess of the event.
Homes can have some decorations.
A festive table with fun items for the kids!
Some appetizers before the big meal. Thanksgiving- a time for celebration of harvest and family times.
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