🍁 🍁 🍁 Today is Thanksgiving in Canada 🍁 🍁 🍁

Yes, today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

While I have been to Canada during some important holidays - Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste (sometimes referred to at the Fête nationale du Québec, and only celebrated in that province, specifically), and Canada Day, I never yet been to Canada during their Thanksgiving holiday, although I would love to change that someday.

Of course, there are some differences between Canada's Thanksgiving, and the American one. To begin with, since it is colder generally speaking in Canada, the holiday is celebrated significantly earlier, on the second Monday of each October, instead of on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. 

Now, I am not as familiar with the history of the holiday north of the border, although it is apparently fairly similar. However, according to the article which I used in writing this particular blog entry (see link below), "it is thought that the first Canadian Thanksgiving was conducted by explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578 to thank God for his successful crossing of the Northwest Passage."

Also, I am not sure if it has the same sinister connotations on the Canadian side for the peoples of the First Nations there as it does for many Native Americans on the American side. 

One major differences is that Thanksgiving weekend on the American side has come to be associated with shopping, particularly with "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" and all of that. I am not the first person to notice the paradox and inconsistency of a holiday where you are supposed to be appreciative and give thanks for all that you have been blessed with being followed immediately with an unofficial holiday (Black Friday) best known for greed and holiday season stress and hostilities. On the Canadian side, meanwhile, retailers tend to reduce their hours, if not outright remain closed. 

There are some similarities, though. A turkey is the most common traditional main meal in both countries. Also, there are multiple nationally televised football games on both sides. Most Americans are well aware that there are the nationally televised games on Thanksgiving, and that the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys both host the first two. No two teams are absolutes in the CFL, to my knowledge. Currently, I am home sick, and was grateful to be able to watch the first CFL Thanksgiving day between the Ottawa Redblacks and the Montreal Alouettes. Later today, I will try and give another update on the CFL.

So, to any Canadians who might see this, Happy Thanksgiving!

In any case, as already mentioned, I am posting a link on the differences between Canada's Thanksgiving, and the American one. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving: The differences and similarities between America and Canada by Malcolm McClintock | New Pelican Writer, November 17, 2022:

https://www.newpelican.com/articles/thanksgiving-the-differences-and-similarities-between-the-america-and-canada/#:~:text=The%20traditional%20Thanksgiving%20meal%20is,by%20retailer%20deals%20and%20discounts.