Canadians and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving annual. Canadians celebrate this "harvest" holiday on the second Monday of October, composing a long weekend. In 2003, it will be observed on October 13.
Origin
The American Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the Puritans, who set foot in the
States in 1620 after escaping England for religious freedom. However in Canada, Sir
Martin Frobisher held the first harvest feast in present-day Newfoundland almost
half a century earlier!
In 1578, Frobisher took a group of explorer and sailed to Canada for his third
attempt to find a shortcut from Europe to Asia thinking North American did not
exist. All three attempts were rightfully unsuccessful, but the explorers decided
they would settle down and make their home in Canada. In celebration of their
settlement and for their survival of their journey, Frobisher and his people
decided to hold a celebratory feast. This was the first time a Thanksgiving dinner
was held in Canada. Later, settlers continued this tradition by holding the
ceremonies and the feast; however, they did celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time.
As a result, in 1879, 300 years after the first Canadian Thanksgiving, the Parliament declared November 6 an official day of Thanksgiving, and for the first time it was celebrated nationally. Over the years, different dates have been set for Thanksgiving, usually the third Monday in October. From 1921 to 1930, the Armistice Day Act provided that Thanksgiving would be observed on Armistice Day, which was fixed by statute on the Monday of the week on which the 11th of November fell. It was not until 1957 that the Parliament proclaimed the second Monday in October as "a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed".
Traditions and Customs
When it comes to Thanksgiving, I hope it means more than just a turkey dinner for
you! It is a time gathering for family and friends; a time for to say thank you and
share blessings to those who are in need of help!
A full Thanksgiving meal usually includes food yielded from Canada's harvests.
Some dishes are roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pies.
Of course, for early settlers in Canada, you would expect wild dishes, such as
goose, partridge, and even beaver tail!
There are other symbols representing Thanksgiving other than the turkey and the pumpkin, one of which is the cornucopia, which is usually a curved goat's horn filled with fruits and grains, with its name meaning "a horn of plenty". It is a tradition imported from Europe. Today, we presents the cornucopia with a horn-shaped weaved basket, over-filled with fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers.
What's Fun?
Here are some festivals and celebrations that are held all across Canada for
Thanksgiving!
- German Canadians hold major festivals called "Oktoberfest" during October. Its purpose is to give thanks to a successful harvest and to honour the German heritage. The largest Oktoberfest can be found in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, and it has a special Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 35th annual Oktoberfest is going to be held on October 10-18, 2003. You can visit the following website the get more information: http://www.oktoberfest.ca
- In Port Elgin, Ontario, the annual Pumpkinfest attracts over 50,000 people, with tons of entertainment for entire family. Beside live music, harvest food, contests such as pumpkin carving is an attraction. People from all over the world come to Port Elgin compete for the biggest pumpkins in the "Pumpkin Weigh-off Contest". See details at http://www.sunsets.com/portelgin/pumpkinfest/
- Many people visit Minter Gardens, BC, during the Thanksgiving weekend, when the Fall Harvest Festival (known as Autumn Colors in 2003) is held. Not only would one find beautiful plants and flowers which blossom during the fall, one would also have a chance to taste freshly harvested foods from the surrounding areas. http://www.mintergardens.com/minter.htm
- At King's Landing Historical Settlement, New Brunswick, one can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Festival. Programs include a "Turkey Shoot", a "Harvest Service" in a traditional church, and shopping for garden produce. The festival is held from October 11-13 in 2003. http://www.kingslanding.nb.ca
- An annual Beef and Barley Festival is held in Russell, Manitoba. http://www.russellmb.com/beefnb.htm