There weren't any Pilgrims. It started off as a Protestant religious holiday that had, goodness gracious, pro-British and anti-American overtones. In 1957, Parliament passed legislation to make Thanksgiving an annual holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October.
A somewhat scholarly but certainly readable account of the history of Canadian Thanksgiving can be found here.
As for us, we're on our way to Chilliwack for a turkey dinner with Jake and Taegan and their parents - that adds up to visiting all seven grandkids in their homes on three consecutive days for us - so we'll simply say Happy Thanksgiving.
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.