So You Thought That Thanksgiving Was Just the United States and Canada?

So you thought hat Thanksgiving was just for the United States and Canada celebrants?

No, other countries celebrate a Day of Thanks for various things, too.  Of course, ours is based on the Protestant Pilgrims' feast which all started in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed during the Civil War that Thursday, November 26th, should be a national day of thanksgiving.  On December 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt, signed a bill making the date of Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November and a matter of federal law.  

 

Here are some other countries that also have set aside days to give thanks. 

Ancient Chinese, Chung Ch'ui, during harvest time.

Ancient Greeks, during autumn, a festival to honor the goddess of corn and grains, Demeter.

Ancient Romans, during autumn, a celebration honoring the goddess of corn, Ceres.

Brazil, Dia Nacional de Acao de Gracas, 4th Thursday of November.

British Isles, Lammas Day, a harvest festival.

Canada, Thanksgiving Day or Fete de Grace, or Harvest home Festival, 2nd Monday in October.

Germany, Erntedankfest, 1st Sunday in October.

Israel, Sukkot, the 5th day after Yom Kippur.

Japan, Labor Thanksgiving Day, November 23.

Korea, Chusok, 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the traditional Korean calendar.

Liberia, Thanksgiving Day, 1st Thursday in November.

Mexico, Independence Day, September 16th.

Switzerland, The Federal Day of Thanks, Penance, and Prayer, 3rd Sunday in September.

 

 

No matter what you celebrate,  I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.  And, that you have friends and family to share it with.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc.   612-202-0215    mclaughlinhomes@gmail.com

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