American vs. Canadian Thanksgiving
Sarah Pinkerton
The phrase “Thanksgiving” brings to mind images of turkey, pumpkin pie, and pilgrims. It also makes one think of over-eating, the Macy’s parade, and football. But the American view of Thanksgiving is somewhat one-sided. Canada likewise celebrates this autumnal event, with theirs taking place on the second Monday in October, instead of the fourth Thursday of November. Other than this basic difference, many people are unaware of the differences between an American Thanksgiving and a Canadian one.
Traditionally, American Thanksgiving is meant as a celebration of the fact that pilgrims had made it through the year with their lives and with a bountiful harvest. It was also a chance to give thanks to the Native Americans who helped them through their difficult transition and to thank God for their bounty. On the other hand, Canadian Thanksgiving started being celebrated before the pilgrims even came to America at all. As it had little do with the arrival of pilgrims, it is more likely based on the European tradition of celebrating a successful harvest. Yet like the American version, it is a time to thank God for providing such an abundant harvest year after year.
Because of limited knowledge about Canadian Thanksgiving, The Tribe went to the source to get the lowdown on this Canadian celebration. Alex, from Toronto, helped us gain an understanding of this tradition by explaining what her family does to observe this holiday. Alex doesn’t think a Canadian Thanksgiving is too different from an American one, and after further research the similarities far outnumber the differences. She said she spends time with her family, usually eating turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes, with apple and pumpkin pie for dessert. “It’s the same principles and values,” she noted during our discussion. “But I think Thanksgiving is bigger in the States than in Canada.”
Alex said that, unlike in America, there are not Canadian parades to mark the celebration. Instead, many people head up North to their cottages in order to get away from the city, for a more peacefully break. Comparably, many Americans' memories of Thanksgiving revolve around family and time spent apart from normal daily activities. The sense of stopping time and getting always marks Thanksgiving even more specifically than other holidays, no matter where the celebration takes place. In short, it appears that apart from a discrepancy in dates American and Canadian Thanksgivings line up quite neatly.
Sarah Pinkerton
The phrase “Thanksgiving” brings to mind images of turkey, pumpkin pie, and pilgrims. It also makes one think of over-eating, the Macy’s parade, and football. But the American view of Thanksgiving is somewhat one-sided. Canada likewise celebrates this autumnal event, with theirs taking place on the second Monday in October, instead of the fourth Thursday of November. Other than this basic difference, many people are unaware of the differences between an American Thanksgiving and a Canadian one.
Traditionally, American Thanksgiving is meant as a celebration of the fact that pilgrims had made it through the year with their lives and with a bountiful harvest. It was also a chance to give thanks to the Native Americans who helped them through their difficult transition and to thank God for their bounty. On the other hand, Canadian Thanksgiving started being celebrated before the pilgrims even came to America at all. As it had little do with the arrival of pilgrims, it is more likely based on the European tradition of celebrating a successful harvest. Yet like the American version, it is a time to thank God for providing such an abundant harvest year after year.
Because of limited knowledge about Canadian Thanksgiving, The Tribe went to the source to get the lowdown on this Canadian celebration. Alex, from Toronto, helped us gain an understanding of this tradition by explaining what her family does to observe this holiday. Alex doesn’t think a Canadian Thanksgiving is too different from an American one, and after further research the similarities far outnumber the differences. She said she spends time with her family, usually eating turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes, with apple and pumpkin pie for dessert. “It’s the same principles and values,” she noted during our discussion. “But I think Thanksgiving is bigger in the States than in Canada.”
Alex said that, unlike in America, there are not Canadian parades to mark the celebration. Instead, many people head up North to their cottages in order to get away from the city, for a more peacefully break. Comparably, many Americans' memories of Thanksgiving revolve around family and time spent apart from normal daily activities. The sense of stopping time and getting always marks Thanksgiving even more specifically than other holidays, no matter where the celebration takes place. In short, it appears that apart from a discrepancy in dates American and Canadian Thanksgivings line up quite neatly.