Canadian

Held on...
The second Monday of October, although Canadians often celebrate on the Saturday or Sunday as well.

It all started when...
Based on harvest festivals in both Europe and in First Nations communities in the Americas, the first English Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated the homecoming of explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578, who made it back to Newfoundland from a search for the Northwest passage without dying. At the same time, French settlers under Samuel De Champlain held harvest feasts from 1604, including founding a whole society (L’Ordre Du Bon-Temps) to promote feasting and entertainment. Canadian First Nations were often invited to these celebrations.

Became an official holiday...
After Confederation in 1879.

Traditional foods...
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. In French Canada, tarte au sucre, a sweet pie made from boiled sugars, or tortierre, a meat pie with several kinds of meat, are also popular. Growing in popularity? Barbecued or deep-fried turkey – usually cooked outdoors (in the driveway, whilst wearing plaid). Traditional sports... The Canadian Football League holds the Thanksgiving Day Classic, a doubleheader with teams varying each year.

Everybody loves a parade...
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest parade is broadcast every year on CTV.

Controversy...
Very little. The official date was set in 1957, to keep it from overlapping with Remembrance Day on Nov 11.

Likelihood of family fight leaving you not speaking until Christmas...
High, eh.

Wacky traditions...
The Turkey Curl: many communities in Canada will hold a Thanksgiving curling match where instead of the usual stone a frozen turkey is hurled down the ice.

American

Held on...
November 26.

It all started when...
Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony held a feast to thank the Native Americans for helping them get through their first winter in America in 1691. It lasted three days, with food for 90 Native Americans and 53 pilgrims, with many things on the menu that had been introduced to the Europeans by the Native Americans.

Became an official holiday...
In 1863, during the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of giving thanks.

Traditional foods...
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes (many ingredients native to the Americas). Particular favourites include sweet potatoes with marshmallows melted on top, and green bean casserole topped with French’s French Fried Onions. Knock-off brands, we’ve been told, just aren’t the same.

Traditional sports...
The National Football League holds the Thanksgiving Classic, a televised game, every year.

Everybody loves a parade...
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is televised every year on NBC, and includes the official arrival of Santa, opening the Christmas season.

Controversy...
Many Native American groups protest Thanksgiving, as glossing over a long history of oppression and genocide of their people by the Europeans.

Likelihood of family fight leaving you not speaking until Christmas...
High.

Wacky traditions...
The Turkey Pardon: every year the President of the United States grants a presidential pardon to one or more turkeys. The turkey is typically present when this happens, and addressed by name.