Thanksgiving Around the World

When people think about Thanksgiving, they usually think of the American Holiday and its traditions: giving thanks, family, and turkey. However, many countries also celebrate Thanksgiving, but with different traditions and ways of celebration. It all started with the pilgrims who came to America but spent several years in the Netherlands. While they were there, they shared many customs, one of which was expressing their gratitude for a successful fall harvest. This started the tradition of the Thanksgiving holiday around the world. 

Our neighbor to the north, Canada, celebrated their first Thanksgiving forty years before America in 1578. Today it is celebrated on the second Monday of October (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day), about six weeks before our Thanksgiving.

Heading south down to Mexico, many Mexicans enjoy spending time with family and friends on Dia de Accion de Gracias, which is celebrated on the same day as Thanksgiving. They put a twist on traditional American foods like apple pie empanadas and turkey enchiladas. 

Chuseok is the Korean Thanksgiving, celebrated in early October over the span of three days. A food widely enjoyed by everyone is songpyeon, a traditional rice cake filled with sweet and savory ingredients and steamed on pine needles. 

Brazil is the only country in South America that celebrates Thanksgiving known as Dia de Acao De Gracas. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and includes a similar American menu of turkey, mashed potatoes, and apple pie.

Per the German Way, Thanksgiving in Germany is pronounced as Erntedankfest (“harvest thanksgiving festival”). They celebrate on the first Sunday of October each year, as suggested by the German Catholic Church since 1972. Cities and towns usually host church services, parties, music, and a country fair. In some areas with large populations of children, there might even be fireworks! Families don’t gather together on the day, but people will often be served turkey and give leftovers to those in need.

According to Kids Love Greece, many people in Greece don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but it is still honored on the 4th Thursday of each November in remembrance of the Greek god Demeter since she was the goddess of agriculture and harvest. 

In Italy, Thanksgiving is commonly celebrated on Fridays and Saturdays since the day isn’t a national holiday that people have off of work for. When they do celebrate though, they usually have roasted turkey and other types of pasta dishes on the side. When gathering, it is also nice to bring something like wine or chocolates to show respect. 

People in Poland celebrate Thanksgiving with a big feast with dishes similar to Americans. Families will meet up on the day of celebration as well as friends which isn’t as common in America. Although this is a holiday that hasn’t been popular in the past, it has in recent years gained popularity throughout the country. 

There are many different ways people celebrate Thanksgiving, but no matter how you celebrate, Thanksgiving is a day to reunite with family members and to give thanks for this wonderful life.