Thanksgiving Day
Holiday
Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October every year. This corresponds to October 14, 2024. Canadian Thanksgiving has a rich history and story behind it that is not rooted in the American celebration.
Thanksgiving is an official holiday in Canada. However, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia do not observe any holiday on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving in Canada in the Next 4 Years
- 2025: October 13
- 2026: October 12
- 2027: October 11
- 2028: October 9
History of Thanksgiving Day in Canada: A Complete Timeline
Canada's Thanksgiving Began with Martin Frobisher
The roots of Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1578, forty-three years before the Pilgrims' feast considered to be the basis of American Thanksgiving. A group of English explorers led by a man named Martin Frobisher landed safely in the present-day Canadian province of Nunavut.
Upon their safe arrival, Martin decided to hold an official celebration to express their gratitude. Thus, all of them heartily dined on salt beef, mushy peas and biscuits. This is considered to be the first Candian Thanksgiving.
Food such as turkey, squash, and pumpkin were introduced in the Harvest celebrations in Nova Scotia, thus blending European and North American traditions.
1763
When the Seven Years' War ended between Britain and France, Halifax celebrated the dawn of peace with a Thanksgiving celebration. It soon spread throughout Canada.
1859
The protestant community in Canada organized the first-ever Thanksgiving celebration.
After the establishment of the dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, the entire country celebrated Thanksgiving because the Prince of Wales recovered from his illness.
1879
Thanksgiving finally becomes an annual celebration in Canada to be observed on November 6 every year.
1921
Thanksgiving Day and Armistice Day (later changed to Remembrance Day) were combined. On this day, people remembered the sacrifices made and expressed their gratitude for peace and stability.
Almost twenty-six years later, the Canadian Government finally decided to celebrate the second Monday in October as a day of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Celebration in Canada
- Many people go to churches and places of worship to express their gratitude to God.
- Families come together on this day to celebrate and express their thanks for all the blessings they have received in their lives.
- Canadian Football League’s Thanksgiving Day Classic is another event held on this day that should be not missed under any circumstances, especially for all football enthusiasts.
- The typical Canadian Thanksgiving meal includes pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, Cranberry sauce, and turkey obviously. In the Canadian Province of Newfoundland, Jiggs dinner is the centrepiece. It is a dish made of potatoes, corned beef, vegetables and dumplings.
Thanksgiving is also a grand celebration in America that is celebrated next month in November. Read Thanksgiving Day to know more about their history, local customs and traditions.
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