Canadian Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving traces its roots to an old European farming custom: farmers would band together to toast a plentiful harvest. The first known Thanksgiving celebration on Canadian shores was in 1578. It was hosted by a European explorer named Martin Frobisher, who enjoyed an impromptu harvest feast upon reaching Newfoundland. Frobisher famously gave thanks not only for the delicious feast he was enjoying, but also for his crew's good fortune at having avoided the many dangers at sea. Canada's Thanksgiving traditions are also attributed to the many Loyalists who moved north--the Americans who remained faithful to England during the Revolutionary War. These settlers brought many of their American Thanksgiving customs that were adopted into the Canadian holiday.

Like its American counterpart, the Canadian Thanksgiving meal usually features a North American staple, the turkey, although ham or other roasts may be substituted. This centerpiece is complemented by an array of favorites: gravy, stuffing, autumn vegetables, and warming desserts. Canadians are fond of the cornucopia tradition as it was originally practiced by European farmers: filling a curved ram's horn with fruits and grains.