Labor Day
Description:
There are historical records that the first peaceful processions in solidarity of workers took place in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Ottawa in September 1872, 10 years before the date from which Labor Day celebrations in the neighboring United States are counted. But, despite the fact that Canadian workers were more progressive in defending their rights, it is believed that the beginning of this holiday was laid by American workers.
The first Monday of September became significant to American society on September 5, 1882. On this historic day, about 30,000 workers from steelworkers and construction workers to tailors and waiters marched through the streets of New York to show their solidarity in the movement for fair working conditions. The demonstrators held a slogan: “Labor made the American Republic, labor must rule it.”
Since then, American workers have continued every year to celebrate Labor Day exclusively peaceful processions: the history of the settlement of the relationship between the worker and the employer has followed the path of reforms and mutual agreements. In 1894, the United States Congress decided to make Labor Day a national holiday, as evidenced by an executive order signed by President Cleveland. In 1894, Canada’s Parliament legitimized Labor Day, although history is silent on whether the decision of the Canadian Parliament was influenced by the decision of the US Congress.
The spirit and ideological basis of Labor Day has changed over time. Parades, demonstrations, just marches through the streets have come to naught. But the appeals and speeches of famous people, trade union leaders, statesmen and politicians, representatives of the clergy and educators fall on this day on the population of Canada like Niagara Falls.
The first Monday in September is not limited to a single holiday in Canada: the Rescue Service celebrates its birthday on the same day. On the same day in September 1997, Canadian medics, firefighters and police joined forces to create the national 911 service. On the occasion of the professional holiday of the Rescue Service, children are handed out safe lifestyle books in some Canadian stores. And children with parents, making the latest preparations and purchases for school, in Canadian stores these days a great many: after all, the beginning of the school year falls in Canada not on the familiar first September, but on the date following the Labor holiday.
On Labor Day, large agricultural fairs begin to operate in Canadian cities. This holiday can also attract fans of high speeds: in Vancouver, the Formula Indy auto races start these days.
For working Canadians, Labor Day is just an additional weekend at the junction of the outgoing summer and the coming autumn, when it is customary to arrange picnics and barbecues, go to visit and to the movies, visit national parks. It turns out that Labor Day is actually a holiday, allowing Canadians to take advantage of a long weekend to go somewhere with the whole family on this last weekend before the new school year. (Based on www.RussianExpress.net)