Thanksgiving

Canada - 2nd Monday in October

It's generally thought that three traditions have been linked to the creation of the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada.

In Europe, farmers hold "harvest festivals" to give thanks for their crops and good fortune.

In around 1578, the English navigator Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in what is now Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving his journey. These became known as "thankful ceremonies" as other settlers arrived.

In 1621, pilgrims in what was to become the United States celebrated their first harvest in the "New World". Aroudn 1750, the celebreation of the harvest was bought to Nova Scotia by American settlers. Around this same period, the French settlers were also holding feasts of "Thanksgiving".

In 1879, November 6th was declared a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday in Canada. This date changed several times over the years. Finally, the latest change was made on Jan 31st, 1957 to be the 2nd Monday in October.

See Also: Thanksgiving, USA.