Thanksgiving Day in Canada is a national holiday dedicated to giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year. The day is marked by family gatherings, feasts, and expressions of gratitude.

Table of Contents

1. When is Thanksgiving Day?
2. The History of Thanksgiving Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. More about Martin Frobisher

When is Thanksgiving Day?

In Canada, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, coinciding with the end of the harvest season.

The following is the list of Thanksgiving Day in Canada from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving in Canada has a long history that predates the American Thanksgiving. Its origins blend Indigenous harvest celebrations, European traditions and religious gratitude ceremonies. The holiday, as we know it today, evolved over centuries to become a national occasion of gratitude and family togetherness.

Long before European settlers arrived, Indigenous peoples in Canada celebrated the harvest season with feasts, ceremonies and dances. These celebrations expressed gratitude for the bounty of nature, the changing seasons, and successful hunts or harvests. These practices influenced later European settlers' Thanksgiving traditions.

The first Thanksgiving in Canada was held in 1578 by Martin Frobisher, an English explorer. He organized a ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for a safe journey during his search for the Northwest Passage. This was 43 years before the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving in 1621 in the United States, making Canada's Thanksgiving one of the earliest recorded in North America.

In the early 17th century, French settlers in New France (now Quebec) celebrated successful harvests with feasts and shared meals. These gatherings often included Indigenous peoples, reflecting cooperation and mutual support in harsh conditions.

Thanksgiving was influenced by Protestant and Catholic traditions, often tied to giving thanks to God for blessings and abundance. Harvest festivals in Europe also inspired Canadian Thanksgiving traditions.

In the 19th century, Thanksgiving was celebrated irregularly and for different reasons, such as military victories, the end of epidemics, or good harvests.

In 1879, Canada declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. At the time, it was celebrated in November. The date of Thanksgiving changed several times, reflecting varying reasons for celebration and aligning with harvest seasons. It was celebrated on the same day as Remembrance Day in November until the holidays were separated.

In 1957, Parliament declared Thanksgiving to be celebrated on the second Monday of October, reflecting its harvest roots and aligning with Canada's agricultural cycle. The October date distinguishes Canadian Thanksgiving from the American Thanksgiving in November.

Over time, Thanksgiving evolved from a religious and harvest-focused holiday to a broader celebration of gratitude and family, and it remains a time to appreciate blessings such as health, family, and abundance.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Thanksgiving Day in Canada, people come together to celebrate gratitude and enjoy the harvest season. The day is often filled with family gatherings, delicious meals, and moments of reflection.

Although there are regional and cultural variations, the traditional Thanksgiving meal often includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for dessert. Families and friends gather for a shared meal, often accompanied by expressions of gratitude.

For some Canadians, Thanksgiving includes attending church services to give thanks for the year's blessings and the harvest. Churches and community centers may host meals or events open to all.

Many people take advantage of the crisp autumn weather to go for walks, hikes, or drives to enjoy the stunning fall colors. Thanksgiving is also a chance to relax, enjoy time with loved ones, or take a short trip.

Local fairs, pumpkin patches and apple-picking events are popular Thanksgiving weekend activities.

Many towns hold local events, including food drives and cultural performances. Thanksgiving is a time for giving back, with many people donating food or volunteering at local food banks and shelters. Organizations host Thanksgiving dinners for those in need, fostering a spirit of community and generosity.

More about Martin Frobisher

Martin Frobisher (circa 1535–1594) was an English explorer and naval officer best known for his voyages in search of the Northwest Passage and his involvement in early Arctic exploration. His expeditions were among the first European attempts to navigate the Arctic and establish English presence in the region.

Frobisher was born in 1535 in Yorkshire, England, and he was trained as a seaman at an early age, gaining experience in navigation and maritime exploration.

Frobisher undertook three voyages sponsored by the English Crown and private investors from 1576 to 1578, seeking a navigable route through the Arctic to Asia.

First Voyage (1576): Frobisher reached Baffin Island in today's Canada, and he believed he discovered the Northwest Passage but instead found a bay, later named Frobisher Bay.

Second Voyage (1577): With greater funding, Frobisher returned to the Arctic, bringing miners and laborers to extract the supposed gold ore. However, he brought 200 tons of the ore back to England, which turned out to be worthless.

Third Voyage (1578): Frobisher returned with a fleet of 15 ships, aiming to establish a colony and continue mining. However, the settlement failed, and the venture was abandoned due to the harsh Arctic conditions and disputes among the crew.

Frobisher's voyages were among the first detailed European explorations of the Arctic. His expeditions paved the way for future attempts to discover the Northwest Passage. He claimed parts of the Arctic for England, laying groundwork for future territorial claims.

During his 1578 voyage, Frobisher and his crew held a thanksgiving ceremony in Newfoundland after surviving their perilous journey. This is considered the first recorded Thanksgiving in North America, predating the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving in the United States.

Frobisher died in 1594 from wounds sustained during a naval engagement against Spanish forces.