Every year on the first Monday of September, Labour Day is celebrated in Canada and the US.
Here are 5 interesting facts that RJR Innovations dug up about Labour Day:
1. Labour Day originated in Canada! Stemming from 1870’s labour disputes in Toronto, in 1872 a parade was held in support of a strike against the 58 hour workweek. As a result, 24 union leaders who were responsible for organizing the event were arrested under anti-union laws.
2. The first US observance of Labour Day came in the form of a parade. Sponsored by the Central Labor Union on September 5th, 1882, ten thousand workers paraded through New York City. This is commonly considered the first observance of Labour Day in America.
3. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labour organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families.
4. The true founder of Labour Day has yet to be identified. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.
5. A large number of industrialized nations around the world celebrate Labour Day as a time to respect and reflect upon workers around the world. While not all celebrate it at the beginning of September, the concept is similar, and is sometimes celebrated in combination of May Day.