When Is Thanksgiving USA and Canada Dates and Countdowns

When is Thanksgiving? – 10 Year Countdown and Dates

Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year. This means:

1. Month: It’s always in November.
2. Day of the Week: It’s always on a Thursday.
3. Placement in the Month: It’s the fourth Thursday, so the exact date changes each year.

The holiday was set this way in 1941, and since then, we count four Thursdays from the start of November to decide the date for Thanksgiving each year. This usually means Thanksgiving falls between November 22 and November 28.

Canadian Thanksgiving VS U.S. Thanksgiving

Canadian and U.S. Thanksgivings are celebrated on different dates and for somewhat different historical reasons. Here’s a comparison:

Date of Celebration

• U.S. Thanksgiving: Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. For example:
  • 2024: November 28
  • 2025: November 27
  • 2026: November 26
• Canadian Thanksgiving: Celebrated on the second Monday of October, which coincides with the Canadian harvest season. For example:
  • 2024: October 14
  • 2025: October 13
  • 2026: October 12

Canadian Thanksgiving generally falls about six weeks earlier than U.S. Thanksgiving.

Canadian Thanksgiving Countdown

Historical Origins and Meaning of US Thanksgiving and Canadian Thanksgiving

United States Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving is a cherished American tradition, celebrated annually with family gatherings, feasting, and expressions of gratitude. While its modern manifestations are familiar to many, the history of Thanksgiving in the United States is rich, complex, and multifaceted. This article explores the origins, evolution, and significance of Thanksgiving, shedding light on its historical context and contemporary observances.

Early Beginnings: The First Thanksgiving

The commonly cited origin of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Pilgrims, a group of English settlers seeking religious freedom, established the Plymouth Colony after surviving a harsh winter with the assistance of the Wampanoag people, a Native American tribe native to the region.

The 1621 Feast: To celebrate their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims organized a three-day feast, inviting 53 Wampanoag men, including their leader, Massasoit. This event is often referred to as the “First Thanksgiving.” The celebration featured foods such as venison, fowl, corn, and squash, reflecting both European and Native American agricultural practices.

Significance: While the 1621 feast is emblematic of cooperation and mutual assistance, it is important to recognize that it occurred within a broader context of colonization that ultimately led to significant upheaval and displacement for Native American communities.

Thanksgiving in Colonial and Revolutionary America

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, various colonies and states observed days of thanksgiving to mark significant events, including military victories, the end of droughts, or other communal milestones. These observances were typically sporadic and localized, without a unified national tradition.

George Washington’s Proclamation (1789): The first national Thanksgiving was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789, designating November 26 as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. However, this proclamation was not widely followed, and the practice of celebrating Thanksgiving remained inconsistent across the young nation.

Establishing a National Holiday

The quest to establish Thanksgiving as a fixed national holiday involved several key figures and legislative actions:

Sarah Josepha Hale: Often dubbed the “Mother of Thanksgiving,” Hale was a prominent writer and editor who advocated tirelessly for a national Thanksgiving holiday. Through editorials, letters, and petitions, she lobbied presidents and politicians for decades, emphasizing the unifying potential of the holiday.

Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation (1863): Amid the turmoil of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln heeded Hale’s appeals. On October 3, 1863, he proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. Lincoln’s proclamation aimed to foster national unity and provide a moment of reflection and gratitude during a period of division.

Post-Lincoln Developments: Following Lincoln’s initiative, Thanksgiving became an annual observance. However, the date fluctuated until President Franklin D. Roosevelt intervened in 1939, moving the holiday to the fourth Thursday of November to extend the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression. This change was met with controversy and was ultimately settled by Congress in 1941, officially establishing Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

Modern Celebrations and Traditions

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated across the United States with a variety of traditions that blend historical influences and contemporary practices:

Feasting: Central to Thanksgiving is the meal, traditionally featuring turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The meal symbolizes abundance and gratitude for the harvest.

Parades and Entertainment: Iconic parades, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, showcase floats, marching bands, and performances, attracting millions of viewers both in person and via television.

Football: American football has become synonymous with Thanksgiving, with professional and collegiate games held on the holiday, fostering a sense of camaraderie and competition.

Volunteering and Charity: Many people engage in acts of service, such as volunteering at soup kitchens or donating to those in need, embodying the spirit of giving and community support.

Black Friday: The day following Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, characterized by significant sales and consumer activity.

Acknowledging Complex Histories

While Thanksgiving is a time of celebration for many, it is also important to acknowledge the complex and often painful histories associated with the holiday. For Indigenous peoples, Thanksgiving can be a reminder of colonization, displacement, and loss of culture. In recent years, movements such as the National Day of Mourning have emerged to honor Native American perspectives and promote a more inclusive understanding of history.

Reconciliation Efforts: Increasingly, there is a push to incorporate educational initiatives and dialogues that address the full spectrum of Thanksgiving’s legacy. This includes recognizing the contributions and resilience of Native American communities and fostering mutual respect and understanding.

History of Thanksgiving in Canada

Thanksgiving in Canada is a cherished tradition that celebrates the harvest and blessings of the past year. While it shares similarities with its American counterpart, Canadian Thanksgiving has its unique origins and customs that reflect the country’s diverse heritage.

Early Beginnings

The roots of Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early 17th century. Explorer Martin Frobisher is often credited with holding one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in 1578 in what is now Newfoundland. Frobisher and his crew were grateful for their safe arrival in the New World after a perilous journey from England. This event predates the more widely recognized American Thanksgiving by over four decades.

Harvest Festivals and Indigenous Traditions

Long before European settlers arrived, Indigenous peoples across Canada celebrated the harvest with festivals and ceremonies. These events were expressions of gratitude for the bounty of the land and played a crucial role in maintaining community bonds. The influence of these Indigenous traditions can still be seen in modern Thanksgiving celebrations, which emphasize gratitude, sharing, and community.

Establishment as a National Holiday

Thanksgiving became an official national holiday in Canada in 1879, when the Canadian Parliament proclaimed November 6 as a day of general thanksgiving. This decision was influenced by both European harvest festivals and the American tradition of celebrating thanks. However, the date of Canadian Thanksgiving has varied over the years. It wasn’t until 1957 that the Canadian government officially set the holiday for the second Monday in October, aligning it more closely with the earlier harvest season in Canada.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Canadian Thanksgiving is marked by family gatherings, feasts featuring turkey, stuffing, and seasonal vegetables, and various cultural activities. Unlike the American Thanksgiving, which also commemorates the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock, Canadian celebrations are more focused on the harvest and giving thanks for the year’s blessings.

Additionally, Thanksgiving in Canada coincides with the start of the holiday season, leading into festivities like Halloween and Christmas. It serves as an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on their blessings, enjoy time with loved ones, and participate in community events such as parades and charity drives.

Summary