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What is Canadian Thanksgiving?
A Canadian national holiday that predates the American Thanksgiving
Did you know Canada also has a Thanksgiving holiday like in the United States? It falls on the second Monday of October and is celebrated nationally. Although it seems like a copy of the American Thanksgiving, the Canadian celebration predates the American one by more than forty years. How did the Canadian Thanksgiving start, and what does it celebrate?
Martin Frobisher’s Voyage
Thanksgiving in America is known as the holiday that was started by the pilgrims who celebrated their first harvest with the Native Americans. The Canadian one has a different start. In 1578, forty-three years before the first celebration in America, an English explorer by the name of Martin Frobisher had the first Thanksgiving dinner with his crewmates. Martin Frobisher was originally headed to the Caribbeans but ended up in present-day New Foundland, Canada. He gave thanks for his safety through the rough voyage and shared a meal consisting of salt beef, biscuits, and peas with his crewmates. This is the first officially recognized start of the Canadian Thanksgiving.
