Another summer has come and gone for Canada, and while the calendar might tell us we still have another two weeks until fall, our social clocks are telling us something different. This is the last long weekend of the year — the last time for backyard BBQ’s, the last weekend the kids are home from school, and the last time we can really get away with shorts and a t-shirt. Depending on where you live, it might even be too late for that.

But what does Labour Day mean? No — we’re not talking about football again — what I want to know is, what does Labour Day really mean?

For those interested in a little history lesson, Labour Day got it’s start in Canada back in 1872 (or so says Wikipedia) when a parade was assembled in support of the Toronto Typographical Union’s strike. Some workers were arrested for parading as a result of some archaic anti-union laws, and then Prime Minister John A. McDonald vowed to change it’s government’s stance, signing the Trade Union Act into law the following year.

Celebrations followed every spring to commemorate the strike parade, until in 1894 Prime Minister John Thompson declared the first Monday in September Labour Day. In the US, Grover Cleveland did the same.

The gesture may sound noble, but it’s quite likely that Labour Day was created as little more than a western tactic to replace the Communist-leaning International Workers Day that was created only 3 years earlier. More commonly referred to as “May Day,” International Workers Day was created out of a similar situation that left 8 Ohio workers dead after a protest in 1886. Considering May Day celebrations weren’t without some form of anarchy — riots broke out in Cleveland during the 1894 May Day — offering an official government holiday to honor the workers of North America could easily be seen as a way to placate the masses and prevent further riotous activities.

Despite the late 1800’s formation of the holiday, Labour Day didn’t become the national phenomenon it is today until the 1940’s. The post-war economy created all kinds of jobs in the steel and automotive sectors, and the Women’s Movement was in full swing. People of all genders and backgrounds were embracing the working world, and in turn embraced a holiday that celebrated all of their hard work.

And now? Now it’s a great weekend for carnivals, backyard BBQ’s, garage sales and parades. You’ve worked hard all year — now take the day and enjoy yourself!