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History Behind the National Day of Mourning

The first National Day of Mourning was held in Canada in 1981 and was initiated by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

The first National Day of Mourning was held in Canada in 1981 and was initiated by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

The congress declared a National Day of Mourning for workers who were killed, suffered disease or injury, as a result of occupational accidents and hazards. Every year since, unions, labour councils, families and community partners gather to mourn.

The date April 28 was chosen because on the same day in 1914, the first workers compensation act was passed.

The federal government officially recognized the National Day of Mourning in 1991.

Canada became the first country to recognize the day formally and the International Day of Mourning was declared in 1996. Today, the International Day of Mourning is observed throughout the world in about 100 countries.

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