We are heading to Thanksgiving 2024 and a lot of excitement and buzz outside. But do you know that we have already crossed Thanksgiving of this year? Shocked right? Don’t be perplexed, we are talking about the Canadian Thanksgiving. For more convenience, today we are discussing the difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving.
It is a truly precious day for both Canada and the United States. Even though there are many similarities between the two celebrations, each has special origins, timing, customs, and reasons of importance within a culture. Ever wonder how Canadian Thanksgiving differs from American Thanksgiving? Read on for all the unique features of each holiday.
Difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving
As discussed above, even though the actual significance of Canadian and American Thanksgiving is very similar, both have wide differences when it comes to how to celebrate and enjoy this occasion. Apart from the origin, we are going to discuss every aspect of these two. Let’s begin with the origin.
The Difference of Origin
Canadian Thanksgiving Origins
Canadian Thanksgiving traces its origin back to 1578 when an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, managed a celebration to thank God for his safe journey to the New World. This makes Canadian Thanksgiving one of the earliest recorded Thanksgiving celebrations in North America. Initially, it was a harvest festival, but the tradition evolved into a general holiday for giving thanks.
American Thanksgiving Origins
The celebration of American Thanksgiving originated way back in 1621 when the Pilgrims had a bountiful harvest which they shared with the people of the Wampanoag. Such was the first Thanksgiving to have been held in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Finally, that holiday was celebrated nationwide as Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863, with unity and appreciation during the Civil War.
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The Timing of the Celebration
Canadian Thanksgiving: Second Monday of October
The celebration timing is another big difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving. One is celebrated in October and the other is in November. Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October because it marks the end of Canada’s harvest season, being a country of climate.
American Thanksgiving: Late November
This is celebrated in America on the fourth Thursday of November, which coincides almost with the onset of winter. This actually goes hand in hand with the harvest seasons in the U.S. The climate and geographic locations tend to make harvest a little later.
The Difference of Themes
Canadian Thanksgiving Theme
While Canadian Thanksgiving means family gatherings and a feeling of thankfulness, it’s not as loud as American Thanksgiving. Canadians tend to spend more time being thankful for family, friends, and the fall harvest than for elaborate decorations and parades.
American Thanksgiving Theme
Some major events in the American celebration of Thanksgiving include large parties, parades, and major sports events, in which Americans highly participate in this day. People depict the holiday as closely identifying with American identity due to family unity and the spirit of sharing. Black Friday has also become a shopping day after Thanksgiving and hence forms a major cultural economic activity in the United States.
Traditions and Food Differences
Canadian Thanksgiving Foods
When looking for the difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving, food doesn’t seem to be a much differentiator. Similar to the U.S., Canadians often eat the same dishes: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Regional variation does, however, apply. Favorites include butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, and other local vegetables that can be found in regions of Canada.
American Thanksgiving Foods
On typical American Thanksgiving dinner tables lie rows of turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and so many other delicious offerings. From a melting-pot standpoint, the assortment of this traditional American Thanksgiving fare highlights the nation’s heritage.
For instance, despite their common use of pumpkin pie, Americans tend to differ from one another when including some secondary flavors, like the addition of pecan or apple.
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Holiday Weekend vs. Single-Day Celebration
Canadian Thanksgiving: Weekend with a Monday
Since Canadian Thanksgiving falls on a Monday, it’s automatically a short weekend. The Sunday before Thanksgiving is often celebrated by some as they like to take Monday off as a rest day, while others celebrate on Monday.
American Thanksgiving: Long Weekend since Thursday
In the United States, Thanksgiving is usually observed on the last Thursday of November and often falls during a four-day weekend since many businesses and schools are closed on the following Friday. This long weekend encourages family travel and large gatherings that are typical of American Thanksgiving.
Cultural Importance and Significance
Canadian Thanksgiving Culture
It’s a special but rather less boisterous holiday in Canada that lacks some of the great cultural intensity that is common in the United States. It’s really an occasion where families gather but certainly doesn’t have the kind of wide cultural and economic impact of the holiday to the same extent as down south in the United States.
American Thanksgiving Culture
Thanksgiving in America is an important holiday because it officially begins the holiday season that eventually leads up to Christmas and New Year’s. Events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, viewed by millions, and NFL games Thanksgiving staple heighten the importance of the holiday.
Conclusion
While the Canadian Thanksgiving is based on grounds of gratitude, it has evolved into different cultural events with their own history, traditions, and significance in their respective countries. It is still more humble, family-oriented, regional, and quiet compared to American Thanksgiving which took on a national flavor-a huge gathering, feasts, and public celebrations all over the country.
With this detailed discussion, you may now understand the difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving. Whether it’s October or November, Thanksgiving on both sides is a time of community, gratitude, and family, which must be enjoyed wholeheartedly.
