Brazil Independence Day
This date celebrates Brazil’s Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves in 1822. In 1808 French troops invaded Portugal, which led to the Portuguese monarchs transferring the Portuguese Court from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, the then capital of Colonial Brazil. Prince Regent John VI created the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, elevating Brazil to the rank of kingdom and increasing its administrative independence. In 1821 the Portuguese Assembly demanded Brazil to return to its former condition of colony and the return of their heir prince to Portugal, but he refused on 9th January 1822, a date that became known as Dia do Fico (I’ll Stay Day). On 2nd September 1822 a new decree with Lisbon’s demands arrived in Rio, and Princess Maria Leopoldina, acting as Princess regent with the Prince in Sao Paulo, sent him a letter advising him to proclaim Brazil’s independence. The letter reached him on the 7th September, and that day, in a famous scene at the shore of the Ipiranga River, he declared the country’s independence, ending 322 years of colonial dominance of Portugal over Brazil.
It is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays and military parades in most cities. In Brasilia, the national celebration takes place at the Ministries Esplanade with a civil-military parade in the presence of the President. Similar events take place all over the country. The national commemorations are broadcast on TV.
Fiji Constitution Day
Today marks the promulgation of the Fijian Constitution on this day in 2013. Its constitution has had three major revisions after being introduced in 1970, once in 1990, 1997 and then 2013. This day marks the most recent revision, and has only been a holiday since 2016, set up to inform people about the merits of the Constitution. The inaugural holiday saw a march take place from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park in the country.
Labor/Labour Day
In the late 19th Century, as trade union and labor movements grew, different groups of trade unionists chose a variety of days on which to celebrate labor. In the US, a September holiday called Labor Day was first proposed in the early 1880s. There are different theories on how it originated. Secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York Matthew Maguire is said to have proposed a national Labor Day holiday on the first Monday of each September, or alternatively, it was the brainchild of Peter J. McGuire, a vice president of the American Federation of Labor, who suggested the date because it sat midway between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.
The popularity of the event spread across the country. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make it an official public holiday, and 7 years later a further 29 states had done so too. In that year, Congress passed a bill recognising the first Monday of September as Labor Day and making it an official federal holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law on 28th June. The federal law, however only made it a holiday for federal workers, so Unions encouraged other workers to strike to get the day off, so all U.S. states made it a statutory holiday.
It unofficially marks the end of Summer because it marks the end of the cultural Summer season. Many take their two week vacations during the two weeks ending the Labor Day weekend. Many activities like school and sport begin around this time. It has also become an important weekend for shops to offer discounts and allowances, especially for back to school.
This day is also celebrated in Canada, where it has been a statutory pubic holiday since 1894. However the origins can be traced back to numerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades. Picnics and parades are organised by unions, while there are also fireworks displays, water activities and public art events.
It is also considered in both countries the last day that it is acceptable to wear white.
Holidays & Special Events 