American Institute Of Bankers

Admin | December 08, 2011 | Comments Off

American Institute Of Bankers

American Institute Of Bankers

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is one of the major holidays of the year, and is often thought of as ushering in the Christmas holiday. We can trace the first Thanksgiving back to the era of the pilgrims, who celebrated this day to give thanks for having been brought safely into the New World. Americans have been officially celebrating Thanksgiving Day ever since 1863, at which time President Abraham Lincoln made the proclamation that our country was to observe this day as a national holiday. Even so, the United States is not the only country which celebrates Thanksgiving Day.

Japan

On November 23rd, Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Japan. This holiday is also called Kinro Kansha no Hi in Japanese. On this day the Japanese people thank each other for good work done throughout the year as they celebrate the fruits of their labor. Previously called Ninamesai or Harvest Festival, the Emperor would make an offering to the gods of the season's first offering of newly-harvested rice and then eat of the rice himself. Ninamesai is believed to have originated in November of 678. After World War II, the present day Labor Thanksgiving Day was established to commemorate that basic human rights were guaranteed and that the rights of the workers were largely expanded in the Constitution. To celebrate this day, there are many events, including the Labor Festival in the city of Nagano.

Canada

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the second October in Monday. It is a time to give thanks for a good harvest. Its origins can be traced back to 1578. It was during this time that Martin Frobisher from England began his search for the Northwest Passage. His expedition set out with fifteen ships in its fleet. These explorers encountered freak ice storms, and during this time one of the ships was lost. Because of these difficulties, the ships were separated and scattered, but upon meeting again in what is now called Frobisher Bay, the explorer bid his crew to give thanks for their safe deliverance. The first official Thanksgiving Day in Canada was celebrated on April 15, 1872 in order to give thanks for King Edward VII's recovery from a serious illness. After World War II, Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated together. In1957, the decision was made for Thanksgiving to be celebrated separately and permanently on the second Monday in October. Most Canadians celebrate throughout the Thanksgiving weekend in much the same as way Americans do -- by gathering their families together for a turkey feast.