In many countries, Labour Day is celebrated as May Day or International Workers Day (May 1), but in North America the holiday is the first Monday of September.
Here are the origins of the last long weekend of the summer.
1872
The Toronto Trades Assembly organizes Canada’s first big demonstration for workers’ rights. People participate in a parade, calling for abolition of the law that makes trade unions illegal. They also call for the release of 24 people who campaigned for a nine-hour work day.
Later that year, seven unions in Ottawa organize a similar parade. It stops at the official residence of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald.
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The Canadian government repeals all laws against trade unions.
1882
American Peter McGuire, who founded the American Federation of Labor, makes an appearance at a labour festival in Toronto.
Inspired, he returns to the U.S. and helps organize a similar parade in New York City. In subsequent years, it becomes an annual event.
1883
The Canadian Labour Congress is established.
1894
The Canadian government declares Labour Day, to be held in September, a national holiday.
Canada’s first Labour Day parade is held in Winnipeg.
U.S. Congress passes an act making the first Monday of September an annual legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories including all federal workers in all states. The move comes after the deaths of a number of workers during the infamous Pullman Strike, a nationwide conflict between labour unions and railroads.
1910
A Labour Day parade is held for the first time in Grand Falls-Windsor Newfoundland. It’s still held every year. The celebrations last for three days.
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