When was labor day declared a national holiday?
Labour Day began in Canada on April 15, 1872, just five years after Confederation. On that historic day the Toronto Trades Assembly, the original central labour body in Canada, organized the country’s first significant ‘workers demonstration.Initially, Labour Day was celebrated in the spring but that did not last long. After it was declared a legal holiday by the Parliament of Canada on July 23, 1894, the celebration was moved to the first monday in september. Around the world today Labour Day is celebrated at different times. In Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia it is known “May Day” – or International Workers’ Day – and it is celebrated on May 1. In New Zealand, it is held on the fourth Monday in October, and in Australia the date varies from state to state across the country.
