Why are American and Canadian Thanksgivings on different dates?
813161
So that you can attend one and then take a flight and have a second thanksgiving.
760065
It's about the Pilgrims and Indians celebrating the first harvest.\n\n"According to historical sources, the Pilgrims never held an autumnal Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrims did have a feast in 1621 near Plymouth, Massachusetts, after their first harvest. This is the feast people often refer to as "The First Thanksgiving." This feast was never repeated, so it can't be called the start of a tradition, nor did the colonists or Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. In fact, to these devoutly religious people, a day of thanksgiving was a day of prayer and fasting. \n\nNevertheless, the 1621 feast has become a model for the Thanksgiving celebration in the United States. More than likely, this first harvest feast was eaten outside, based on the fact that the colonists didn't have a building large enough to accommodate all the people who came. Native Americans definitely were among the invited guests, and it's possible, even probable, that turkey (roasted but not stuffed) and pumpkin in some form found their way to the table."
118548
celebration of Thanksgiving is a memory of the time when the british voyager had a good harmony with the american natives. it was also a thanks giving to God for the british and native american friendsip
968440
It is a holiday that began with the first English settlers in America. Their voyage was long and hard, and after they arrived, they nearly starved in the first year. But the second year they had an excellent harvest, and they were thus blessed with a relative bounty of food to eat. They decided to have a party to celebrate 1) their good fortune for a good harvest, 2) the now fairly obvious fact that the colony would be successful, and 3) their faith in God, not necessarily in that order. They invited the local Indians to the celebration and they all had a very good time. Thereafter they decided to repeat the party every year, to mostly celebrate their good harvest. In today's world, it is a family gathering time that is usually free from the commercialism that has grown up around Christmas, Easter, the Fourth of July, etc. The traditional dish is roast turkey, because it is a large bird that is native to America and was thought to be the main dish at the original celebration. Other traditional foods for Thanksgiving include pumpkin pie and perhaps something made out of corn (maize), something made from sweet potatoes, and something made out of cranberries since these were the newfound foods that are native to the American continent that the early settlers were able to obtain in quantity, and they were largely new and different from what they were used to eating in the British Isles. If you are a new arrival in America, please have a happy Thanksgiving! Perhaps you can also celebrate your own safe travel across the Atlantic to the new world!
696823
It used to be the Cowboys and Redskins on thanksgiving because its a big rivalry and cause of the thanksgiving theme.  However now it's about ratings and being in a big market since its a nationally televised game to attract ratings that day.  Thats the biggest reasons for that.
381919
There are. Its just not a federal holiday. Most business consider it a holiday or a personal holiday.
917394
Amricans use English but call it American language, they use dates, but use it wrong way and call it American style.\n\nAll the other countries use dates like 1st January 2007 etc, but Americans will say January 1st 2007. A bit wierd if I personally say so, my own view.
319
No, Canadians have Thanksgiving too.
715962
yea...and sometimes it not on Thanksgiving...it's longer...:(
836004
Thanksgiving is always the 4th Thursday of November\nthis year it is Nov 23
181
It is believed that the pilgrims and indians shared wild turkey and venison on the original Thanksgiving. \n\nTurkey's "Americanness" was established by Benjamin Franklin, who had advocated for the turkey, not the bald eagle, becoming the national bird.
873616
Thanksgiving is an American holiday. That doesn't even cover a majority of Christians worldwide, let alone everyone else who calls someone "God".
904775
The settlers came to the new world and found Indians. They came in peace and had a feast together, then....BOOM. We screwed them for their land and ambushed them when they weren't expecting it. That's why the Native Indians of today don't pay tax, it's almost like an "I'm Sorry" and a thank you from the government. Our government discloses that part of Thanksgiving to make it seem all nice and pretty and full of thanks. But I don't see how you can say thanks when you stole it.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!
803846
The reasons behind this are very complex.  Quebecers feel they are a separate nation because of their unique cultural makeup.   They have a different language and the culture on the whole is very unique.  They feel that the only way for their culture to survive assimilation by English Canada is to separate.  Although Canada day is a day off for them too, they have their own "fourth of July" day in June called "La fete Nationale" or National Holiday.\nNot all Quebecers are on the same page about this though, back in the nineties there was a referendum vote to separate and the "no" side won by only one or two percent.  \nIn Canada we value the "cultural mosaic" philosophy, where cultures are encourage to maintain their cultural identities (for those from other countries) , while I think that the USA has more of a "melting pot" mentality.
875692
The common idea is that Thanksgiving originated with the Pilgrims. Most Americans have this idea that when the Pilgrims landed in America and settled themselves they wanted to give thanks and appreciation for making it through the long journey. Also, they ended up sharing their feast with the Native Americans. Or did they? \n\nThe fact is that the first Thanksgiving was shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians in 1621. The celebration was more of a harvest festival with sports, games, food, dancing, singing, and revelry. When it comes to the food they ate the menu wasnt much like todays. Instead, it consisted of venison, fowl, and other foods prepared by the pilgrims. \n\nInterestingly enough the first Thanksgiving as we know it did not create a yearly tradition among the pilgrims. Partly because the following year was a poor one and because many new settlers had arrived, Thanksgiving became a celebration that was only observed occasionally over the following centuries. However, thanks to the Revolutionary War all of America celebrated Thanksgiving together in 1777. But, that still didnt get the tradition going like it is today. It wasnt until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November Thanksgiving that the tradition really became part of Americas culture. The only other change was when Franklin Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in 1939. \n\nOf course, you may have learned a different Thanksgiving story in school or you may be one who believes Thanksgiving as a celebration shared by the Indians and the Pilgrims took part in their celebration. There is no shortage of ideas about how Thanksgiving originated. However, the above account is one that is traditionally accepted by Americans and the one that most people tend to believe.
792280
thanksgiving day in canada is called columbus day in the usa.  boxing day is always dec26
715735
We have a lot to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving (aka Dia de Gracias!)\n\nIt shouldn't matter what country you are from or whether Thanksgiving exists in their country.  Every individual and/or family should set aside a day to be grateful for what they were blessed with.  If those that disagree believe they should be grateful for their own ignorance... by all means... give thanks.