LABOUR Day celebrates the contribution of labourers and workers to the development, prosperity and achievements of a nation.
Its origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, when about 10,000 workers marched the streets of Toronto, Canada, in April 1872 to demand a shorter work week.
The strike evolved into an annual parade in cities across the country, and this led to the first Labour Day parade in the US a decade later.
This parade subsequently evolved into the International Workers’ Day - which is synonymous with Labour Day today - after the Haymarket Riots in Chicago on May 1 1866.
With such a long history, is it true that Labour Day is celebrated on the same day worldwide?
VERDICT:
FALSE
While Malaysia and many other countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1 - also known as May Day - in conjunction with International Workers Day, it is celebrated on the first Monday of September in countries like the US and Canada.
And with that said, it is even more complicated in countries like Australia, where Labour Day is celebrated on different dates depending on state and territory.
In 2024, Labour Day is on Oct 7 in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia; May 5 in Queensland; March 10 in Victoria and March 3 in Western Australia.
Another nation that celebrates Labour Day on a different date is Japan, where it is known as "Labour Thanksgiving Day" and falls on Nov 23 every year.
However, many trade unions in Japan also celebrate Labour Day on May 1 in line with the rest of the world.
It is also celebrated on a different day in the Bahamas, as Labour Day there - also known as Randol Fawkes Labour Day - has been celebrated on the first Friday in June.
The name is in honour of Sir Randol Fawkes, who established Labour Day in the Bahamas in 1961.
Labour Day is also celebrated on a different day on another Caribbean island, as Jamaica commemorates the efforts of its workers on May 23.
On this neighbour in the Bahamas, the celebration replaces the May 24 celebration of Empire Day - which commemorates Queen Victoria abolishing slavery in the British Empire.
So whenever and however you celebrate Labour Day wherever you are, cheers to you, the workers, the unsung heroes and the driving force behind progress.
References:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-labor-day
https://www.australia.com/en-my/facts-and-planning/when-to-go/australian-public-holidays.html
https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/thanksgiving-japan
https://mofa.gov.bs/upcoming-events/randol-fawkes-labour-day/
