Thanksgiving: few notes on a Canadian holiday
It’s the second Monday in October, which in Canada means Thanksgiving. This has been true since 1931, except on one occasion in 1935 when it fell in the same day as a general election.
Here are some other notes from this Canadian holiday.
History
The first Thanksgiving on present-day Canadian soil took place in 1578. It was a feast thrown by explorer Martin Frobisher, 43 years before the first U.S. Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving became a Canadian national holiday in 1879, seven years after the first post-Confederation observance.
Turkey
According to Turkey Farmers of Canada, Canadian households purchased 3.1 million whole turkeys in 2012, which counts for 35% of annual sales.
It is believed that Canadians consume roughly 3,000 calories in a single typical Thanksgiving meal, an amount that is about the same as a full day’s recommended caloric intake.
If you want to spare yourself from feeling more gluttonous skip the next line…
Among elite athletes, the average Canadian male takes in 3055 and female consumes 2,392 calories daily.
See also: exercise away the holiday spirit with Olympian Martin Reader
Giving Thanks
At Olympic.ca we are very thankful for our athletes not only due to their dedication to performance, but because Canadian Olympians continue to serve as an inspiration to their communities. Many of them volunteered their time at food banks throughout the country during the holiday weekend.
“If you have an opportunity to give back, why don’t you?” – Olympic rower Jane Thornton on CBC.ca.
