HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Monday is Thanksgiving in Canada, the second monday in October. It is both similar to the famous American Thanksgiving and yet different. The biggest difference is that it is not treated like a religious occasion which makes up part of our National myth about ourselves. The American Thanksgiving is best understood in this way. It is attached to the iconic early settlement of the Pilgrim Plantation which over the years has been part of the American vision of itself as an exceptional country upon which God has given it special meaning.
The Canadian Thanksgiving is just an occasion to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest and our company with one another. The explorer Martin Frobisher is given credit for holding the first "Canadian Thanksgiving", in 1578. The early French in Canada had the "Order of Good Cheer" feast where they, like the pilgrims shared their bounty with their native neigbours.
When the United Empire Loyalists came to Canada from the US after the Revolutionary War they brought with them the traditions of the American Thanksgiving. Over the years, other groups have come to Canada and contributed to lesser degrees elements of the Canadian Thanksgiving.
http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/
As an English Canadian, I very much identify with the American Thanksgiving traditions. Living years in the US and having lovely memories of sharing in the American Thanksgiving has reinforced my affection for these traditions. I always enjoy reading from Bradford's Journal the accounts of the early Pilgrim celebrations of Thanksgiving and sharing and exchanging foods with Massasoit and his tribe from the Cape Cod area. I shall always remember former American friends for their affection for me and my family and their sharing there wonderful Thanksgiving celebrations with us.
Both Canada and the US eat the similar kinds of foods at Thanksgiving: turkey, potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie among other elelments. In Canada, these are not held as being absolutely essential. Other meats, particularly ham, and other vegetables may be easily used in this special meal. Ethnic groups within Canada also may include special foods of their tradition as well as adopting the North American diet.
In both countries, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather to feast and socialize.
In former years, I have accepted the invitation to join my son and family. This year, while he called, I had already agreed to stay and share a meal with June, my tenant. This year, her husband is not here, he is now in a nursing home.
It occured to me after talking with Parker, he and his family may not have been eating their Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day. I might have been able to have two meals. This I find is another difference between Canada and the US. I don't think Americans would easily shift the day to have Thanksgiving Dinner. I think many Canadians will have their meal tonight, Sunday. I have heard on the radio that others have already had it on Saturday and even Friday. For me, a holiday should be on the holiday so I will have the meal on Monday.
Thanksgiving Greeting from the North Wood!
To my American friends. Happy Columbus Day.
Come next month. I will be acknowledging the American Thanksgiving with all the fond memories it has for me.
posted by Tossing Pebbles in the Stream @ 10:27 a.m.
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13 Comments:
Happy Thanksgiving, Philip. Gorgeous fall color photo, too.
Yes, Happy Thanksgiving, Philip. As a Native American, I will pass on that other holiday... not much happy about it.
Happy Thanksgiving. I first learned about the date of Canada's Thanksgiving when I worked for folks who were Canadian. Thanks for reminding me.
I think it's nice of you for thinking of, and shareing your Thanksgiving meal with June. Hope you had lots of goodies!
Happy Thanksgiving Philip, I hope you enjoy the meal, and the day....
Happy Thanksgiving, Philip.
Enjoy--and share a little something with Heidi--as if you could ignore her.
Maybe you can still get another meal with Parker & family.
Funny you think of Thanksgiving as a religious observance in the U.S.--I find it distinctly not so. But, you are right--it's origins were.
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. :) We have a little over a month to wait for our big feast.
Philip,
I'm glad you decided to stay and have Thanksgiving dinner with June. Otherwise it would have been a lonely time for her.
We had our dinner on Monday this year, but some years Mom has it on Sunday to accommodate others. I'm glad this year that she chose to accommodate herself. I'm very thankful that she is still with us.
Thank you for the birthday greeting. That was very thoughtful. I had a very pleasant and enjoyable day.
Sorry I haven't been over to visit more often. Hubby had a stroke in September and I just haven't had time for reading other blogs. Enjoy the autumn season. We will soon be digging out from the snows.
Blessings,
Mary
I seldom disagree with you, but I think turkey is absolutely essential to TG. :)
But I agree that the actual feast day is optional. We gobbled our gobbler on Sunday.
I hope your day went well my friend... ;o)
We had our dinner on Sunday because our family have to travel home on Monday. I agree it is good to have the dinner on the Monday but...
I hope you had a really good time!!
Happy Thanksgiving! It is nice you get to celebrate both!
Then I wish you a happy Thanksgiving.
I know that in some regions in Germany a Harvest thank you day is celebrated, but not nationwide.
In Europe it's not celebrated at all.
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