with canada Thanksgiving and american thanksgiving difference
Although Thanksgiving in Canada and the United States both celebrate the fall harvest, the dates of Thanksgiving Day in the two countries are different.
It is the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, and the third Sunday of November in Korea. On the other hand, Canada observes Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday of October, and it falls on October 14 this year in 2024.
Canadian Thanksgiving historically symbolizes gratitude for the fall harvest and for providing food before the cold season arrives. Because Canada is geographically located in the north, winter comes earlier than in the south, and therefore the fall harvest is accomplished earlier.
Canada’s first official Thanksgiving was held in 1879, but the exact date is determined by Parliament each year. Often, a unifying theme for the year would be set, commemorating and celebrating the British royal family. In 1957, Canada officially designated the second Monday in October as Thanksgiving because the weather at that time was more suitable for outdoor activities.
Photo by Guillaume Jaillet on Unsplash
traditional Canada thanksgiving of food manifold
Canada’s traditional Thanksgiving food doesn’t seem much different from the food that appears at American Thanksgiving. The reason is that Canadians have adopted the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner food culture.
The dinner menu includes turkey, gravy, potatoes, pumpkin, bread rolls, and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie or apple pie for dessert are common foods across Canada. .
However, there are slight differences in food depending on the region. For example, in Newfoundland, where many Irish people live, ‘Turkey’ is used instead of ‘Turkey’.jig’s dinnerThey prefer ‘Jigg’s dinner – a stew made with salt broth that originated in Ireland’, eat scalloped potatoes instead of mashed potatoes, and use more cranberry sauce than gravy.
In Western Canada, people prefer to eat ham rather than turkey, and it is also eaten with Brussels sprouts and pineapple.
Canada is made up of many immigrant ethnic groups, so each ethnic group often incorporates their own traditional cuisine.
Native Canadians usually serve ‘Bannock’, a type of bread made with fried wheat dough, while Ukrainian Canadians prepare ‘Perogies’ and cabbage rolls, which look like dumplings, as representative Thanksgiving foods. Do it.
Recently, K-Food has become more popular, and Koreans prepare Songpyeon, bulgogi, japchae, and various pancakes, which are representative Chuseok foods, and share them with their neighbors.
Cabagge rolls, Bannock, Perogies
By region dessert
There are also regional differences in desserts, with butter tarts, similar to small pecan pies, popular in eastern Ontario. In western Canada, Nanaimo bars, called ‘smog bars’ or ‘prayer bars’ in the United States, are enjoyed as dessert.
In Quebec and the Atlantic coast region, apple pie or apple crisp are preferred instead of pumpkin pie.
Apple Crisp & Apple Pie
Nanaimo Bars & Pumpkin Pie
Quebec thanksgiving
Interestingly, in Quebec, a province where French is predominantly spoken, unlike other parts of Canada, most Quebecers tend not to celebrate Thanksgiving.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Canadian Thanksgiving was primarily a Protestant event, often expressing gratitude to the British royal family. As a result, French Canadians, many of whom were Catholic, felt alienated. Today, Quebec’s Anglo (English-speaking) minority celebrates Thanksgiving, but descendants of Quebec’s immigrants often follow French Canadian traditions and understand Thanksgiving simply as a day off from school.
with the natives thanksgiving
In the United States, some indigenous people consider Thanksgiving a ‘National Day of Mourning’, but in Canada, indigenous peoples, similar to English-speaking Canadians, celebrate Thanksgiving with family and enjoy delicious food, such as turkey, pumpkin, This day is celebrated as a celebration of indigenous foods from before colonial times, such as corn and cranberries.
Indigenous foods 사진자료: Amazing food & Drink
Canada thanksgiving event
Although Canada does not have large-scale events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City, USA, Thanksgiving-related events such as the Fall Harvest Festival are held in each region.
For example, when I was studying in Manitoba, which is famous for its wheat farming, the school held a Harvest Banquet around Thanksgiving, and I remember Korean students and their children wearing hanbok and singing on stage.
Additionally, Canada’s smallest province is Prince Edward IslandThe ‘Fall Flavors event’ takes place from late September to early October, a three-week celebration of the island’s best local food and drink.
western Province of AlbertaIn Smoky Lake, also known as the ‘Pumpkin Capital’, the ‘Great White North Pumpkin Fair’ is held every October. The event is famous for its variety of food and social events, one of which is the dramatic ‘Pumpkin Weigh Off’ competition.
This year’s winner was a pumpkin weighing 2,137 pounds. Can this pumpkin make a lot of pumpkin pies for Mom?
Great White North Pumpkin Fair
The differences between Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada also appear in shopping culture. While Black Friday is the biggest shopping day in the United States, there are no major retail events on Thanksgiving in Canada. Even in Canada, most stores are closed and people spend the holidays with their families.
Thanksgiving in Canada can also be a sign that winter is approaching. During this time, Canadians spend their holidays watching CFL (Canada Football League) games or NHL (National Hockey League) games, or spend a lot of time cleaning and repairing their homes or vacation homes.
This is Canada, and a long winter is coming soon.
In conclusion
While living in Canada for 20 years, I have experienced more than 20 Thanksgivings. Recently, I spent my first Thanksgiving in Canada alone with my husband, without my son or daughter.
I thought we would have more Thanksgivings just the two of us in the future, so I used the excuse of having more time than other years to research and write about Thanksgiving in Canada.
