Canadians have a long history of giving thanks. It can be traced back to 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew were encouraged to give thanks to the gods for making it safely across the Atlantic Ocean from England.
Decades later in 1604, Samuel de Champlain and his crew held huge feasts and shared food with the First Nations neighbours to give thanks. Residents of Halifax held a Thanksgiving Day after the Seven Years' War ended in 1763. When the American revolution ended and loyalists moved to Canada, they brought their traditional pumpkins and turkeys with them. Since then, every Thanksgiving Day, Canadians have taken the chance to give thanks for everything from the end of the Lower Canada Rebellion to King Edward VII’s recovery from a serious illness.
Now, in 2014, Canadians continue expressing their gratitude. From family and friends, to feasting on pumpkin pie, and even having an extra day to study, here is what Canadians shared with CTV and on social media about what they have to be thankful for this year.
"My extraordinary wife who puts up with five boys," said one man.
"My little Sophie who is 11 months old," said woman while holding her infant girl.
"My family because they are so nice to me too," said one young boy.
"My education, to live in Toronto and my family and friends," said another young boy.
"The freedoms to enjoy what Canada has to offer," said one man.
Have you got reasons to be thankful this year? Let us know in the comments at the end of this story. And if you need inspiration, here's a sampling of what Canadians are sharing on social media today:
So thankful for everything I have and for all of the amazing friends and family in my life and most of all my amazing boyfriend #thankful
— Alicia Le Breton (@lebretonalicia) October 13, 2014
I am #thankful for each and everyone of you that help make my dreams a reality. I get to live my dream because you. Happy Thanks Giving
— TortoiseHelmet (@TortoiseHelmet) October 13, 2014
My first thanksgiving w/o bringing home dirty laundry. My mother is #thankful. I'm a #grownup now?!?
— Aly B (@alyfly8910) October 10, 2014
#Canada celebrated Thanksgiving Day this weekend..when a nation is at peace, there is much to be thankful for.
— lyse doucet (@bbclysedoucet) October 13, 2014
I'm thankful for Thanksgiving Day for it gives me another day to study. #MidtermSeason
— Megha Sharma (@MeghaTheAwesome) October 13, 2014
BUT ITS CANADIAN THANKSGIVING SO IM JUST BEING THANKFUL THAT ALCOHOL EXISTS
— Andrew Quo (@AndrewQuo) October 13, 2014
Thankful for all the nurses, doctors, EMT's, cops, forces & fire-folks working today while I'm home jamming 4lbs of turkey into my wordhole.
— Jonathan Torrens (@TorrensJonathan) October 13, 2014
I'm thankful for friends, family and pie, I don't know what I'd do without any of them
— Simon Birch (@chazsomers) October 13, 2014
We are thankful for the joy that nature brings. @Taste_of_Nature helps get kids outside. http://t.co/6FJYbD3ZqX http://t.co/LtHTC5Xpj9
— Evergreen (@EvergreenCanada) October 11, 2014