Do Other Countries Celebrate Thanksgiving Or Other Similar Holidays?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do other countries celebrate Thanksgiving or other similar holidays? Thanksgiving is a national celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia . It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan.

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Do other countries have something similar to Thanksgiving?

Even some European countries celebrate Thanksgiving. The best example is Germany, which celebrates Erntedankfest (‘harvest thanks festival') on the first Sunday of October. So no, Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday. Similar celebrations take place all around the world – from Canada to Japan and even Liberia .

What other countries celebrate Thanksgiving?

Country 2022 Population United States 334,805,269 Canada 38,388,419 Australia 26,068,792 Netherlands 17,211,447

What holiday is similar to Thanksgiving?

Do other countries know about Thanksgiving?

Discover which countries outside the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, from Liberia and Ghana to China and Japan. Thanksgiving is not solely an American holiday. While you may have heard about Canadian Thanksgiving, there is a slew of other nations that have designated a day to give thanks .

Does the UK celebrate Thanksgiving?

No – Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated in the UK although often Americans who live here invite British friends and family to join festivities.

Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in China?

Although some countries have their own Thanksgiving, celebrated at different times of the year, China celebrates Thanksgiving at the same time as Americans – the fourth Thursday of November .

Does New Zealand celebrate Thanksgiving?

For most people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is a time for reflecting on the Treaty and its place in modern New Zealand. The Waitangi Day Act 1960 declared 6 February to be Waitangi Day; a national day of thanksgiving in commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi .

How do Canada celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Is a Little More Low Key in Canada

Thanksgiving in Canada involves families coming together to eat turkey and celebrate the harvest , but relatives don't tend to travel as far across the country like they might in the United States.

Does the Philippines celebrate Thanksgiving?

While Thanksgiving is no longer an official holiday in the Philippines , its tradition lives on for many Filipinos, especially those with family members and other ties in the U.S.

Does Germany celebrate Thanksgiving?

Meaning of “Erntedank” in Germany

At the same date as in Canada, the Germans celebrate their Thanksgiving (Erntedankfest) . During the celebration, which is usually held in a church but also regionally as a procession, crops, cereals, and fruit are decoratively arranged.

How does Europe celebrate Thanksgiving?

In the German-speaking countries, Thanksgiving is an autumn harvest celebration called Erntedank or Erntedankfest (“harvest thanksgiving festival”) . The observance usually takes place in September or October, depending on the region. Similar harvest festivals are common in many countries and regions around the globe.

Why is Canada and U.S. Thanksgiving different?

The meaning ascribed to Thanksgiving is slightly different between Canada and the U.S. Historically in Canada, Thanksgiving celebrations commemorated everything from explorer Martin Frobisher's successful 1578 crossing of the Northwest Passage to victories during the World Wars, whereas the emphasis in the U.S. is on ...

Does Australia have Thanksgiving holiday?

Australia. In the Australian external territory of Norfolk Island, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Wednesday of November , similar to the pre–World War II American observance on the last Thursday of the month.

Does France have Thanksgiving?

Not only France doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving , but the majority of French people don't have a clue about what Thanksgiving is, and how important it is a celebration for our friends to the West.

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in London?

The American thanksgiving is not celebrated in the UK because no one had to be thankful for their new land and good ocean trip. However, the harvest part of it is still celebrated by many churches and most schools.

Is there Thanksgiving in Canada?

But in Canada, it'll take place on Monday, October 11 —a full month-and-a-bit before we get to sit down at our own tables. That's because Canadians traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Nigeria?

Ikeji is a four-day festival of propitiation, thanksgiving and feasting which is held annually in March or April .

What is the British equivalent of Thanksgiving?

How is Thanksgiving celebrated in Asia?

Chinese people generally think of Thanksgiving Day as a time to have a western-style meal and thank friends, family, colleagues and teachers. In China, Thanksgiving is called “Gan'en Jie” which means “thanks for grace holiday”. In many of the best international hotels and restaurants serve roasted turkey on this day .

What holiday in China that is similar to Thanksgiving in America?

The sixth public Chinese holiday is the Mid-Autumn Festival . Occurring on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar—the night of the full moon—Mid-Autumn Festival serves as China's harvest celebration. Family gatherings are an essential part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, somewhat akin to American Thanksgiving.

Does South America celebrate Thanksgiving?

Adjusting to a new culture can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. Thanksgiving isn't typically celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries , but celebrations of family, food, togetherness, and thankfulness are universally beloved!

Is Thanksgiving only a American holiday?

How many public holidays does China have?

Length (without weekends) 3 days (Chinese New Year's Eve, 1st and 2nd days of 1st Lunisolar month) English name Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year) Chinese name (Simplified) 春节 Pinyin Chūnjié 2014 31 January

How many public holidays does Japan have?

Japan currently has 16 public holidays each year . As you plan your travel itinerary, it is useful to know when these days fall and what exactly they celebrate.

What is Thanksgiving called in France?

One of our most important holidays is Thanksgiving Day, known in France as le Jour de Merci Donnant .

Why do Canadians say eh?

Although eh has its roots in Middle English and did not originate in Canada, the interjection acts as marker of anglophone Canadian identity and distinguishes Canadian English from other dialects . Eh is internationally recognized as a uniquely Canadian form of speech, often to the point of exaggeration and stereotype.

Does Canada celebrate MLK day?

It's not a national paid holiday but a day of reflection and service . The Ottawa municipal government in Ontario officially began observing the national holiday on Jan. 26, 2005.

Why is Thanksgiving so late in 2021?

Why Philippines has no Thanksgiving?

Why Philippines dont celebrate Thanksgiving?

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, both the Americans in the country and Filipinos celebrated Thanksgiving Day secretly. After the Japanese withdrawal from the country in 1945, the tradition continued until the early years of the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986) .

Why do Germans not celebrate Thanksgiving?

What holiday was celebrated in Europe that started the idea of Thanksgiving?

Harvest celebrations and days of thanksgiving in Europe date back to pre-Christian pagan times. Long before the first Europeans arrived in North America, farmers across Europe held celebrations at harvest time.

What Caribbean nation celebrates Thanksgiving in honor of a US invasion?

Grenada . This is kind of a weird one. On October 16, 1983, Grenada's deputy prime minister seized power and executed the prime minister. On October 25, the United States and allied forces from nearby Caribbean nations invaded, overthrowing the deputy prime minister in a matter of weeks.

What day is Thanksgiving in Germany?

Thanksgiving in German Europe. In German-speaking countries, Erntedankfest is often celebrated on the first Sunday in October , which is usually also the first Sunday following Michaelistag or Michaelmas (29 Sept.), but various locales may give thanks at different times during September and October.

Who had Thanksgiving first America or Canada?

The earliest recorded Canadian Thanksgiving actually dates back to 1578 — well before the Pilgrims and the Native Americans feasted at Plymouth in 1621. However, many people believe Canadian Thanksgiving has always been rooted in the start of the harvest, which happens earlier in Canada than it does in the US .

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.