Canadian Thanksgiving: October

While Canadians have observed this harvest feast since the mid-1500s, Thanksgiving Day wasn't observed on any particular date until 1957. That's when the Canadian government proclaimed the second Monday of October a federal holiday. The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday evolved separately from the U.S. one, but its main tradition — families and communities coming together to feast on turkey, stuffing, and pie — remains the same.

Since Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving during the height of autumn, the vibrancy of the changing leaves and the hearty autumn produce are the holiday's focus. Centerpieces adorn Thanksgiving dinner tables, wreathes made from fall leaves hang on front doors, and pumpkin pie is the dessert of choice.