Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Well, this weekend my fellow Canadians will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Some hold celebrations today (Sunday), some tomorrow, and still some will celebrate both days...usually because they are dividing the holiday among families (such as visiting both sets of parents for those who are married).

What, if any is the difference between a Canadian Thanksgiving and that celebrated with our neighbours to the south? Well, for starters, we celebrate in October and not in November. I was curious, myself, as to why the difference (it's sad that I don't know this) in dates so I did a little research on the net. Here are some interesting facts that I have found out in my search:

- "the first North American thanksgiving occurred in Newfoundland in 1578."

- "Between 1879 to 1898 thanksgiving was celebrated on a Thursday in November; from 1899 to 1907 on a Thursday in October (except in 1901 and 1904 when it was celebrated on a Thursday in November); from 1908 to 1921 on a Monday in October; between 1922 and 1930 Thanksgiving was held on Armistice Day, November 11. In 1931 the old practice of Parliament declaring a day of Thanksgiving each year was resumed."

- "On January 31, 1957 Parliament proclamed permanently the second Monday in October as "a day of general Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.""

(The above information was taken from here where you will find interesting information on food, traditions and history. Please check it out.)

On another site, I found the following paragraph:

"In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north." This was taken from here, and it has more explanations there and is worth a taking a look at.

Another link I found here shows when Thanksgiving was held in particular years and they reasons it was celebrated...I thought it interesting that there were different reasons behind the celebrations.

Pretty interesting as to the differences between how these two countries (Canada and US) celebrate this holiday, eh? If you want to find out anything else, you can just do a simple Google search (which is what I did) typing in Canadian Thanksgiving.

So, with that, I would like to list five more things that I am thankful for.

1. Those who are bold for the Lord and proclaim His message to the lost.
2. New life.
3. Teachers.
4. Music.
5. God being in control of all things.


So, to all my fellow Canadians in this great country and abroad (in other great countries), Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from me. God bless you all (everyone in general) and have a Christ filled day!