Happy Thanksgiving Canadian DUers!

Tomorrow, October 10, is Canadian Thanksgiving Day.

My neighbor, a native of Toronto, just had some of the neighbors and friends over for a WONDERFUL Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. We had a traditional Thanksgiving feast like we all know and love south of the border, punctuated by LOTS of anti-Bush, anti-Republican banter, and lots of good wine.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canadian DUers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

so close to American "Columbus" Day. I think we should start celebrating Amerigo Vespucci Day, preferably during February. Rambling aside, Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

MojoXN

To my family and friends there, as well as all the great Canadian DU'ers, may the next year hold even more prosperity and joy for you.

:loveya:

My dad was Born there, long live Canada!

My family will be gathering at my daughter's home for Thanksgiving...We used to do it here at my house, but my married daughter has taken over the last few years....It's always a lovely time!....:toast: :loveya:

Just had a nice Thanksgiving dinner with my girl.
My favorite holiday too, no religion!
I'm thankful that I found DU and discovered many like minded Americans.

If I may briefly parade my ignorance - what is the significance of the festival? What does it mark? What are you giving thanks for? Is it pilgrim-related, like the US version?

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/

Sounds like a good history of the celebration. Growing up it seemed to me that it was a celebration for the harvest. Hope that it helps a bit.

Always nice to learn something new.

Churches here celebrate what's called the "harvest festival" in October - it sounds similar.

tonight. I'm jealous.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!!!

Turkey with all the fixings last night with one part of the family, and I get to do it all again tomorrow with another part :)

Anybody mind if I undo my belt?

Sid

Be thankful you don't live with us!

;) ;)

Fall is my favourite time of the year, it is gold and red, still warm days, cool nights.

:-)