In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

While Thanksgiving in the U.S. is traditionally a remembrance of Pilgrims and early white settlements in the New World, the Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the U.S., which is the primary reason for the earlier holiday date.

Thanksgiving in Canada dates back to the 16th century when an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, tried unsuccessfully to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did, however, establish a settlement in Northern America and, in the year 1578, held a formal ceremony giving thanks for surviving the long journey in what is now Newfoundland.

Considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving, Frobisher's party became a tradition among subsequent settlers.

Marking the Calendar

Over the years, many dates have been used for Thanksgiving in Canada.

In 1879, Canada's Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday.

But after World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred.

In 1931, Armistice Day and Thanksgiving became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.