You can feel it, can’t you? The leaves are turning brilliant shades in Niagara, and there’s a buzz of families getting ready to celebrate. Canadian Thanksgiving season has arrived! But beyond the turkey and pumpkin pie lies a fascinating history and a set of traditions that are distinctly Canadian.
How much do you really know about it? Take our Canadian Thanksgiving quiz to find out. It’s perfect for locals, tourists exploring Niagara Falls, or anyone who’s ever been curious about this beloved holiday. You might be surprised by what you learn!
Go on, get cozy and dive in. Let’s see how you score!
Results
So, let’s give a round of applause to our Thanksgiving maestro here, who’s mastered the art of turkey talk, harvest history, and Niagara Falls nuances!
Remember, folks, knowledge is something to be thankful for all year round, just like pumpkin pie and good company. Keep on learning, keep on quizzing, and keep on celebrating the beautiful tapestry of life.
#3. Why is it earlier than the American Thanksgiving?
Canadian harvest season is earlier in Canada, as it gets colder sooner.
#4. From 1921 to 1930, Thanksgiving was combined with:
Armistice Day (now Remembrance Day), which was observed on the Monday of the week of November 11.
#5. When is the Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated?
The 2nd Monday in October (it has coincided with Columbus Day in the US since 1971
#6. Why is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated?
Canada’s Parliament proclaimed a day for giving thanks for “the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed” in 1879. The holiday actually has much earlier beginnings, though, possibly beginning in some form back in 1587 with Arctic explorer Martin Frobisher.
#8. Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and not some other bird?
The birds are large enough that they can feed a table full of hungry family members rather than a chicken. Plus, chicken and cows were considered much more valuable to keep around for their eggs and milk. They were highly regarded back when the Thanksgiving tradition first began. By the way, wild turkeys can fly, unlike domestic turkeys. They can also run up to 20 miles an hour. We eat domestic turkeys which have been bred for their size and speed of growth to the point where they now cannot fly, walk normally or even breed on their own.
#10. Canadian Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday EXCEPT in:
Canadian Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday EXCEPT in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador in which it is an optional holiday.
#11. What is the key difference between Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving?
The American Thanksgiving long weekend runs from Thursday to Sunday, whereas the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend runs from Saturday to Monday.
Americans celebrate it on the fourth Thursday in November — so they essentially get a four-day weekend versus our three-day weekend.
#12. What role does the beauty of Niagara Falls play in Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations?
The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early colonial period when European settlers arrived in what is now Canada. Niagara Falls is located in Ontario, which was one of the regions where early settlers established communities. These settlers brought with them the tradition of giving thanks for a successful harvest, which eventually evolved into the Canadian Thanksgiving we know today.
