October 8 observance of annual "Thanksgiving" (Canadian version)

from "Multi-faith Calendar 2012" (PBS program on Religious aspects of the news)

October 8, 2012

Thanksgiving in Canada (Interfaith)
Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the second Monday of October each year. Today, this holiday celebrates the end of the harvest season with family gatherings and special meals.

However, history records that the first Canadian Thanksgiving, held in 1578, actually applauded a safe homecoming for Martin Frobisher, an explorer who was on a treacherous search for the Northwest Passage. Frobisher threw a formal feast in Newfoundland to celebrate surviving his journey.