Exploring the Curious Coincidence- Why Canadian Thanksgiving Falls on Columbus Day

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving on Columbus Day?

Canadian Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday of October, is a national holiday that commemorates the harvest and the early relationships between Indigenous peoples and European settlers. However, one might wonder why this day is also associated with Columbus Day, a holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. This connection may seem perplexing at first glance, but there are historical and cultural reasons behind it.

Historically, the celebration of Thanksgiving in Canada has its roots in the early 17th century when European settlers began to establish permanent communities in what is now Canada. These settlers often held harvest festivals to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to honor the Indigenous peoples who taught them how to survive in the new land. Over time, these celebrations evolved into the modern Canadian Thanksgiving we know today.

On the other hand, Columbus Day was initially established to honor Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering the New World. However, it is important to note that the arrival of Columbus also marked the beginning of a period of colonization and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. This darker aspect of Columbus’s legacy has led to some controversy and calls for the reevaluation of the holiday.

So, why is Canadian Thanksgiving on Columbus Day? The answer lies in the fact that the two holidays were not always celebrated on the same day. In fact, they were initially celebrated on different dates and for different reasons. It was not until the 20th century that the two holidays began to overlap.

In 1957, the Canadian Parliament passed a resolution to establish a national holiday for Thanksgiving. The date was chosen to coincide with the existing Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States, which were held on the fourth Thursday of November. However, since the Canadian calendar is different from the American one, the date of Thanksgiving in Canada was set to the second Monday of October.

At the same time, the United States was also celebrating Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. This was a result of a 1971 federal law that moved the holiday from its original date of October 12 to the second Monday of October. As a result, the two holidays began to coincide on the calendar.

While the overlap of Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day may seem to perpetuate the celebration of Columbus’s legacy, it is important to recognize that the two holidays serve different purposes. Canadian Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the harvest and to honor the contributions of Indigenous peoples, while Columbus Day serves as a reminder of the complex history of European colonization in the Americas.

In conclusion, the reason why Canadian Thanksgiving is on Columbus Day is a result of historical coincidences and the evolution of both holidays over time. While the connection may seem problematic, it is essential to remember the distinct purposes and meanings behind each holiday.