Daily Archives: October 12, 2024

Holidays

Canadian Thanksgiving Quiz

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. When is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated? a) First Monday in October
    b) Second Monday in October
    c) Last Sunday in October
    d) First Sunday in November
  2. What historical event is Canadian Thanksgiving most closely associated with? a) The signing of a peace treaty
    b) The harvest celebration 1621
    c) The arrival of the first settlers
    d) The end of the Revolutionary War
  3. Which of the following foods is traditionally associated with Thanksgiving dinner in Canada? a) Ham
    b) Roast beef
    c) Turkey
    d) Salmon
  4. What is a common activity that Canadians participate in during the Thanksgiving weekend? a) Sledding
    b) Apple picking
    c) Beach volleyball
    d) Skiing
  5. Canadian Thanksgiving shares a similar purpose with which American holiday? a) Christmas
    b) Easter
    c) Thanksgiving
    d) Independence Day

True or False Questions

  1. True or False: Canadian Thanksgiving is a national public holiday across the entire country.
  2. True or False: Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated to give thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year.
  3. True or False: In Canada, Thanksgiving is often celebrated with parades, similar to those in the U.S.
  4. True or False: The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving date back to the early 1600s with the French settlers in North America.
  5. True or False: Canadian Thanksgiving is typically observed on the same date as the American Thanksgiving.

Answers Key

  1. a) First Monday in October
  2. c) The arrival of the first settlers
  3. c) Turkey
  4. b) Apple picking
  5. c) Thanksgiving
  6. False (It is not a statutory holiday in all provinces.)
  7. True
  8. False (While there may be local festivities, large parades are more common in the U.S.)
  9. True
  10. False (Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated in October, whereas American Thanksgiving is in November.)
Holidays

Thanksgiving on Canada’s East Coast

Thanksgiving on Canada’s East Coast: A Celebration of Tradition and Nature

Thanksgiving on Canada’s East Coast is a uniquely special experience. While much of the country gathers around family dinners to give thanks, the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador infuse this holiday with their own coastal charm and traditions.

On the East Coast, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the region’s deep connection to the land and sea. Fall brings breathtaking colors to the forests, and the cool crispness in the air sets the perfect backdrop for harvest season. The harvest is central to Thanksgiving here, with local markets overflowing with produce like pumpkins, cranberries, apples, and hearty vegetables from family farms. This bounty finds its way onto the Thanksgiving table in the form of rich pies, stews, and, of course, a classic turkey dinner—though seafood often makes a special appearance, a nod to the area’s fishing roots. Lobster or cod, either as starters or main dishes, add a coastal twist to the celebration.

Communities across the East Coast are tight-knit, and many take Thanksgiving as a time not only to share a meal with family but also to reconnect with neighbors and friends. In smaller towns, it’s not uncommon to find local Thanksgiving festivals or fall fairs celebrating the season’s abundance. Apple-picking excursions, hayrides, and corn mazes are popular ways to enjoy the region’s natural beauty before heading indoors to the warmth of Thanksgiving dinner.

For many, Thanksgiving is also a chance to enjoy the outdoors. The East Coast’s scenic landscapes—whether the rocky shores of Nova Scotia, the rolling hills of PEI, or the fjords and rugged cliffs of Newfoundland—are stunning in autumn. A Thanksgiving hike, often with a panoramic view of the Atlantic, is a favorite activity for locals and visitors alike.

Family and community, the land and sea, the harvest and the beauty of nature—Thanksgiving on Canada’s East Coast is about more than just giving thanks. It’s a celebration of the season, the spirit of the people, and the richness of the land and waters that sustain them.

History

On this day October 12

Today in History

  • 1979 Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Hits the Bookstores

    The first in a “trilogy of five”, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or H2G2, is a popular comedy science fiction novel that was first created as a radio show in 1978 for BBC Radio 4. The show and the book follow the intergalactic adventures of Arthur Dent, who escapes the Earth’s destruction. He is accompanied by several other characters including an alien called Ford Prefect, Marvin the depressed robot, and the Vogons who are responsible for destroying the Earth.

  • 1968 Equatorial Guinea Gains Independence

    The African republic was part of the Spanish Empire since the late 1700s. Known as Spanish Guinea, the country became independent and changed its name to Equatorial Guinea under the leadership of President Francisco Macías Nguema. In 1972, Nguema proclaimed himself president for life.

  • 1964 First Multi Person Space Flight

    Soviet spacecraft Voskhod 1 carried 3 cosmonauts for the first time to space. It was also the first time the crew did not wear any space suits for the duration of the flight.

  • 1960 Nikita Khrushchev’s Famous Shoe Pounding Incident

    The First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union removed his shoe and pounded it on the table during a UN General Assembly meeting in New York. The incident was thought to be a response to comments about freedoms in Eastern Europe made by the Filipino delegate, Lorenzo Sumulong.

  • 1492 Christopher Columbus Steps Foot on the New World

    Two months after he had set sail from Spain with crews on 3 ships – the Santa María, the Pinta, and the Santa Clara, Columbus spotted land that he believed was Japan. He had, in fact, stepped foot on what is now the Bahamas. Claiming that he was the first one to set sight on the lands, he declared the lands as being owned by the Spanish empire.