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Thanksgiving is traditionally known as a day to gather with family, express gratitude, and enjoy a feast. While this version of Thanksgiving is iconic in the United States, many cultures around the world have their own unique ways of celebrating gratitude and harvest. Let’s explore how different countries put their own spin on giving thanks!
Canada
Canada celebrates Thanksgiving similarly to the United States, with families gathering around the table to enjoy turkey, stuffing, and other festive dishes. Football games are also part of the tradition. However, the key difference is the timing: Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. This date was officially established by Canada’s Parliament in 1879 and later changed to October in 1957. The earlier celebration coincides with Canada’s shorter growing season.
Germany
In Germany, Thanksgiving is known as “Erntedankfest,” meaning "harvest festival of thanks." Celebrated on the first Sunday in October, it is primarily a religious holiday. Church services often feature a solemn procession where participants wear a harvest crown made of grains, fruits, and flowers. Following the service, many communities host festivals with music, dancing, and traditional German foods like wurst, pretzels, and beer.
Liberia
Liberia’s Thanksgiving traditions date back to the early 1800s, tied to the nation’s founding by freed African Americans. Celebrated on the first Thursday of November, Liberia’s Thanksgiving is a vibrant affair. Churches play a central role, with congregations auctioning off baskets of local fruits like papayas and mangoes. The feast often includes spicy roast chicken and mashed cassavas instead of turkey. Music, dancing, and community celebrations make this holiday uniquely Liberian.
Japan
In Japan, Thanksgiving takes the form of “Kinro Kansha no Hi”, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on November 23rd. Unlike Western Thanksgiving feasts, this day focuses on expressing gratitude for workers' contributions to society. Children create thank-you cards for police officers, firefighters, and other public servants. The holiday traces back to ancient harvest festivals but now emphasizes community, hard work, and cooperation.
Puerto Rico
As a U.S. territory since the late 19th century, Puerto Rico celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November like the mainland United States. Traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey are enjoyed, but Puerto Rican families add their own flair with dishes like roast pork (pernil), plantains, arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), and other island-inspired sides. It’s a delicious blend of American and Puerto Rican culinary traditions.
Other Thanksgiving-Inspired Celebrations
Many other countries, while not formally observing Thanksgiving, have their own festivals of gratitude and harvest. For example:
South Korea: Chuseok, a mid-autumn festival, celebrates the harvest with feasts and ancestral rituals.
India: Pongal in Tamil Nadu honors the sun god and the harvest with traditional dishes and offerings.
Thanksgiving, in all its variations, reminds us that gratitude is universal. Whether it’s through a feast, music, dancing, or simple acts of appreciation, celebrating thankfulness brings people together worldwide.
Happy Thanksgiving! How do you celebrate this meaningful holiday?
