Introduction

About 160 countries celebrate a harvest or Thanksgiving festival. While Thanksgiving is primarily linked to the United States and Canada, many other countries observe similar traditions. These holidays often revolve around expressing gratitude, yet the customs, dates, and historical backgrounds vary significantly. Here, we explore how some countries celebrate Thanksgiving, highlighting similarities and differences.

Canada and the United States

In the United States, Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday in November, with a rich history rooted in the early Pilgrims' harvest festival. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October and is linked more closely to the British harvest festival. Both countries have similar traditions of turkey dinners and family gatherings, but the festivities tend to have a different scale and intensity.

Other Countries Celebrating Thanksgiving

Canada

Date: Second Monday in October

History: Canadian Thanksgiving has roots in European harvest festivals and was influenced by the early settlers who celebrated successful harvests. It is more closely related to the British harvest festival than the American version.

Celebrations: Canadians typically celebrate with family gatherings, featuring traditional dishes like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, similar to the U.S. experience.

Germany

Date: September or October (Erntedankfest, or Harvest Festival)

History: This festival dates back to pagan traditions of thanking gods for the harvest and has been Christianized over time.

Celebrations: It involves church services, music, and a local feast featuring regional produce. The focus is more on the harvest rather than a specific historical event.

Japan

Date: November 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day)

History: Established in 1948, it is a day to celebrate labor and production, reflecting gratitude towards workers and the fruits of their labor.

Celebrations: It is a more low-key holiday compared to Thanksgiving in North America, with activities including community events and family gatherings. Traditional foods may include local dishes celebrating local produce.

South Korea

Date: Late September or early October (Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving)

History: This holiday has agricultural origins and honors ancestors, reflecting on the harvest.

Celebrations: Families gather to share traditional foods like songpyeon rice cakes and to conduct ancestral rites known as charye. This celebration is deeply rooted in the family and community.

Liberia

Date: First Thursday in November

History: Founded by freed American slaves, Liberian Thanksgiving resembles the American holiday in its timing and themes of gratitude.

Celebrations: It includes family gatherings and traditional foods often similar to American Thanksgiving, although the specific dishes may vary based on local traditions and ingredients.

Why Not Everywhere Celebrates Thanksgiving

Many countries do not have a Thanksgiving holiday for a variety of reasons:

Cultural Differences: Different historical contexts and cultural practices lead to different forms of gratitude celebrations which may not center around a harvest or specific event. Religious Observances: Some cultures focus more on religious or seasonal festivals rather than a national day of thanks. Lack of Historical Context: The origins of Thanksgiving in the U.S. and Canada are tied to specific historical events that may not resonate or have relevance in other cultures.

In summary, while many countries have their own forms of Thanksgiving or harvest celebrations, there is a wide range of history, timing, and practices reflecting the unique cultural values of each society.