Labour Day (Labor Day in the US) is an annual holiday celebrating the achievements of workers and has its origins in the labour union movement. This advocated eight hours of work, eight for recreation and eight hours for rest, thus the eight hour day movement.
Here is a short list of other countries who celebrate Labour day at different times of the year. I was surpised to learn some of these countries celebrated it!
CANADA celebrates Labour day on the first Monday of September as does the United States. The origiins of Labour Day in Canada is traced back to 1872 when a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58 hour work week, and the Toronto Trades Assembly (TTA) called its 27 unions to demonstrate in support of the Typographical Union who had been on strike since March.
AUSTRALIA celebrations are fixed by various state and territory governments and varieous throughout the country. In the Australian capital terriroty, new south wales and south Australia it is celebrated the first monday in October. In Victoria and Tasmania is is celebrated on the second Monday in March. In western Austdralia it is celebrated the first Monday in March, and in both Queenslanad and Northern Territory it is celebrated the first Monday in May.
BANGLADESH - Labour Day is observed on May 1st and is a Government HOliday.
BRAZIL - officially celebrates Labour Day "Dia do Trabalho" every May 2st.
CUBA - celebrates Labour day on the first day of May in all provinces.
INDIA - celebrates Labour Day on May 1 each year. Labour day in India was proposed on May 1st, 1912 by Mr. Singaravelan who belonged to Hindustan Labour Kissan party.
JAMAICA - Before 1961 May 24th was celebrated as Empire Day in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday and her emancipation of slaves. The chief Minister propsed the replacement of Empire day to Labour day iin commemoration of May 23, 1938 where a labour rebellion led to Jamaican independence.
MALAYSIA - celebrates Labour Day on the 1st day of May every year and it is an official public holiday.
NEW ZEALAND - celebrates Labour day on the 4th Monday in Ocdtober.
NORWAY - celebrates Labour day on the 1st day in May every year and is an official public holiday.
PHILIPPINES - celebrates labour day on May 1st each year and is a national holiday.
SWEDEN - is a national holiday celebrated on May 1st.
MIDDLE EAST - Labour Day (Workers' Day) is celebdrated on May 1sst and if an officla holiday in most countries.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Labour day is celebrataed every June 19th to commemorate the anniversay of the 1937 Butler labour riots.
UNITED STATES - Labour Day (Labor) is a federal holiday observed on the 1st Monday in September.
If you are celebrating Labour Day today, enjoy your day, have fun, and remember our forefathers who fought for us to have this day in honour of labour unions.
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