Labour Day (USA: Labor Day)

It's origins are with the labor movement in Canada.

April 14, 1872 a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union strike when they were trying to negotiate down to a 58 hour work week.  Their boss at the newspaper, had the Union Leaders arrested under an old obsolete never-used law. 

Another demonstration was arranged in support of the arrested Union Leaders the first weekend in September and on September 5, 1882 - a demonstration was also arranged in support for what was going on in Toronto -  in New York City.

Labor Day Parade - Buffalo NY - circa 1900

Both the Canadian Prime Minister John Thompson and U.S.A. President Grover Cleveland, on July 23, 1894,  declared a National Holiday  - Labor/Labour Day.

As an RN in Canada...my official FT workweek hours are 35 hours per week (140 hours over 4 wks flexible hours per union contract).  I can't imagine having to fight to reduce my work week down to 58 hours per week.

For this, I am thankful to our Union, and today - voice my appreciation.