In 1957, the Canadian Parliament solidified the Canadian people's folk practice of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest by declaring the second Monday in October the official day of Thanksgiving. This year, Thanksgiving Day is October 11. Thanksgiving has a long history in Canada and is a holiday forged out of the Canadian people's history and desire to give thanks for all the good that surrounds their lovely land.

Canadian Thanksgiving traces its roots across the Atlantic as definitively as it is rooted in its own heartland. The original concept of Canadian Thanksgiving is traced to an old European farming custom in which farmers were known to band together to toast a plentiful harvest. The first known Thanksgiving celebration on Canadian shores was hosted by a European explorer named Martin Frobisher who enjoyed an impromptu harvest feast upon washing his ship ashore in Newfoundland around 1578. Frobisher famously gave thanks not only for the delicious feast he was enjoying, but also for his and his crew's good fortune at having avoided the many dangers found on the high seas. The third, much noted aspect of Canadian Thanksgiving's origin, is attributed to the many Loyalists (Americans who remained faithful to England) who moved north to make a new home in Canada. Loyalists brought with them many American Thanksgiving traditions that were adopted into the Canadian holiday.

The Perfect Thanksgiving Meal
The centerpiece of the Canadian meal is often a turkey, ham or another tender meat, complemented by a large array of family favorites such as gravy, stuffing, vegetables, and heart- and soul-warming desserts. In addition, Canadians are fond of the cornucopia tradition - filling a curved goat's horn with fruits and grains - as it was originally practiced by those who first inspired Canada's Thanksgiving holiday tradition -- European farmers!

Canadian Thanksgiving
• Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad
• Maple Roast Turkey and Gravy
• Grandma Ruth's Stuffing
• Creamed Onions and Sage
• Patty's Mashed Turnips
• Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread