How American Thanksgiving Is Different Than Canadian Thanksgiving

Did you know that Canadians did the whole Thanksgiving thing before Americans, celebrate the holiday earlier, and hold their big shopping day equivalent to Black Friday the day after Christmas?

Martin Frobisher, an English explorer, showed up in Canada in 1578 and celebrated with his crew with a feast. America did it 43 years later in 1621 and follow the tradition of holding the annual national holiday on the last Thursday in November, while Canadians celebrate on the second Monday in October.

Additionally, the U.S. deems the day after Thanksgiving as a day of rest and many laborers have off, but in Canada it is optional.

Finally, Black Friday isn’t a thing for Canadians, instead they shop ’till they drop on Boxing Day which is the day after Christmas.

Our neighbors to the north and us still like to eat and shop and party, just at different times.