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: