Canadian Thanksgiving happens on the second Monday in October, and officially is the Canadian holiday to give thanks at the close of the harvest season.
It was on Thursday, January 31, 1957, that the Canadian Parliament proclaimed:
“A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.”
In it's history our First Nations always celebrated the close of the harvest, thanks to Wikipedia I also learned..
Starting in 1879 Thanksgiving Day was observed every year, but the date was initially a Thursday in November. The date of celebration changed several times until, in 1957, it was officially declared to be the second Monday in October. The theme of the Thanksgiving holiday also changed each year to reflect an important event to be thankful for. In its early years it was for an abundant harvest and occasionally for a special anniversary.
After World War I, an amendment to the Armistice Day Act established that Armistice Day and Thanksgiving would both be celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11 occurred, starting in 1921. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays, and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day. From 1931 to 1957, the date was set by proclamation, generally falling on the second Monday in October, except for 1935, when it was moved due to a general election. In 1957, Thanksgiving was permanently set to be the second Monday in October.
It might have snuck up on us a little early this year, especially with the warm weather some of Canada is still enjoying, but I for one am very thankful. I am also going to be remembering how thankful I am for my husband, children (including our new baby on the way), our home, and the fact that we can enjoy a meal with the people we love.
What are you thankful for??
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