A public holiday that falls on
the first Monday of September, observed in Canada and the United States (Americans spell "labour" as "labor"). In Canada, this is a "
statutory holiday", meaning that no one can technically be forced to work it, but those who are willing to must be compensated with government-specified higher pay.
Labour Day, at least in its modern, early 21st century form, does not have any specific, traditional
rites or celebrations. It is meant to be a day spent relaxing or
recreating, as it celebrates the year's
hard labour by workers. Much more common, in other countries, is to have the celebration of
May Day (1st day in May), although this is often associated with marches in support of organised labour (unions), and (unfortunately), in recent years, potentially violent demonstrations and actions against wealthy, multi-national corporations.
It is safe to say that May Day is not celebrated in the US because of its ties to and sympathies toward socialism and communism. It can equally be presumed that Canada has aligned its workers' holiday with the US for reasons of politics and economics, as well as commercial convenience.
"Labour Day is an official
day of rest for workers. While
May Day is meant to do the same, many workers take to the street instead,
marching in support of workers' rights."