Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving happen in different months and developed through different histories. Canada observes Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. The United States observes it on the fourth Thursday in November.
Canadian vs. American Thanksgiving at a glance
| Canada | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Second Monday in October | Fourth Thursday in November |
| 2026 date | October 12 | November 26 |
| Common historical framing | Harvest and changing national thanksgiving observances | Often associated with the 1621 Plymouth/Wampanoag gathering |
Canada does not have a Plymouth origin story
The Pilgrims and Wampanoag story belongs to what is now the United States. Canadian Thanksgiving has its own history, including European harvest traditions and changing government proclamations. A 1578 thanksgiving observance associated with Martin Frobisher is often mentioned, but it should not be confused with the beginning of gratitude or harvest traditions on these lands.
Where Indigenous history fits
On both sides of the border, Indigenous Nations had food systems, seasonal gatherings and ways of giving thanks before the modern holidays existed. Those traditions are Nation-specific. Indigenous peoples should not be reduced to background characters in a Thanksgiving origin story.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving in 2026?
Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 12, 2026. American Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Read the full Canadian history
Explore the deeper timeline in The Real History of Thanksgiving in Canada: An Indigenous Perspective.
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[…] If you are teaching in Canada, make clear that the 1621 Plymouth story is American history. Canadian Thanksgiving developed differently. Read our Canadian Thanksgiving history guide and our Canadian vs. American Thanksgiving comparison. […]