Labour Day has been officially celebrated in Canada on the first Monday of September since 1894.  Its origins can be traced to a 1872 strike by the Toronto Printers Union.  But did you know that May Day is also celebrated by labour and union organizations?

May Day, or International Workers’ Day, is another day to celebrate the international labour movement’s fight for things like the eight hour work day.  It is an official holiday in over 80 countries and celebrated around the world!

The Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections (DUASC) has been documenting the labour movement in Nova Scotia for over 40 years.  We hold the records of dozens of labour unions and activists.  Labour has also been a research interest for Dalhousie faculty members for many years.

Here’s a couple interesting letters from the Roscoe Fillmore fonds (MS-10-1).  Fillmore was a farmer and activist in the Annapolis Valley in the 1930s and 1940s.  He helped organize a group known as the Centreville Socialists.  Drop in to DUASC and ask about our labour records.  You might be surprised by what we have!