Halloween, Canadian Thanksgiving, and German Unity Day

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Text to type: Halloween is on 31 October. In the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, people wear costumes. A costume is clothing that makes someone look like another person or thing, such as a witch or a ghost. Children go from door to door. At each door, they say “Trick or treat!” Neighbours give them candy. This activity is called trick-or-treat. Children often carry a bag for their candy. A parent or another adult often walks with young children.

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Text to type: Some Halloween costumes are scary, and some are funny. One person can dress as a ghost, and a friend can dress as a big banana. Adults wear costumes too. Many go to costume parties, where people meet friends in their costumes. People also cut pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. They take out the inside of a pumpkin and cut a face into it. A light inside the pumpkin makes the face shine in the dark.

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Text to type: Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October. In 2026, that Monday is 12 October. 1 October is a Thursday, so 5 October is the first Monday and 12 October is the second Monday. Families sit down for a harvest meal, often on the Sunday or the Monday. Roast turkey is a common main dish. Families often serve it with stuffing, potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Stuffing is a mixture often made with bread. Pumpkin pie comes after the main meal. People give thanks for the harvest and the year.

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Text to type: Since 1957, Canadian Thanksgiving has been on the second Monday of October. In 2026, the long weekend runs from Saturday 10 October to Monday 12 October. A long weekend gives many people three days away from school or work. Many people travel home to see family and share the harvest meal. Thanksgiving is a day off in most of Canada, so schools, banks, and many workplaces close. In French, the day is called Action de grâce. People often say “Happy Thanksgiving” to family and friends. People in the United States keep Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.

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Text to type: German Unity Day is on 3 October. Its German name is Tag der Deutschen Einheit. It is Germany’s national day. Germany was once East Germany and West Germany. Their official names were the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany. The Berlin Wall divided East and West Berlin. After protests, the Berlin Wall opened on 9 November 1989. On 3 October 1990, East Germany joined West Germany. This joining is called reunification.

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Text to type: German Unity Day is a public holiday, so people have the day off. Many towns hold public gatherings. Each year, one German state hosts the main celebration. In 2026, that state is Bremen. Its city-centre festival runs from 2 to 4 October, and it is free to enter. People can hear concerts and talks across the city centre. Berlin also has events near the Brandenburg Gate, a famous landmark in the city. People see black, red, and gold flags and hear speeches about the country and its history.

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