It was all started by a guy named Martin Frobisher, an English explorer so thankful–and no doubt relieved–he had made it across the Atlantic back in 1578 that he decided to hold a feast to celebrate
Frobisher, who also left us a giant bay bearing his name, gets credit for holding the first Thanksgiving in what is now Canada, a holiday that exists today.
That’s today, ladies and gentleman. Not today in the macro sense but today, Monday, Oct. 9.
Frobisher was looking for a northern passage to China but found what is now called Newfoundland and Labrador instead.
We do remain grateful, we Canadians.
The holiday has become a day of rest, a day of, well, thanksgiving.
Certainly we can use it.
Sundays as a day of rest have all but disappeared as the pace of modern life quickens so any day of rest is welcome.
Thanks again, MF!
Families will gather, share more than a few laughs, most will eat sumptuous dinners with a turkey as the centrepiece and pumpkin pie as the pièce de résistance.
It’s the last link to summer.
It’s autumn now and the leaves are turning.
Tomorrow we return to our work-a-day worlds, taking it one day at a time as Old Man Winter waits in the wings.
Autumn and Thanksgiving are clear signs that the end of another year approaches.
Hopefully is unfolds in peaceful fashion, providing genuine cause for gratitude and thanks.
On this Thanksgiving Monday, my colleague Carmel Kilkenny joined me in studio to share some thoughts about Frobisher’s legacy.
Listen
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