In Nova Scotia June 11th commemorates Davis Day, also known as Miners Memorial Day.
On June 11th, 1925, during a strike against the British Empire Steel Corporation in a plea for better working conditions and fair wages for the province’s miners, William Davis was shot dead by company police in New Waterford, Cape Breton. As a way to commemorate his sacrifice, this day was named Davis Day and miners in Nova Scotia vowed to never work on June 11th again.
In Nova Scotia today, many families have deep connections to the mining industry through parents and grandparents. Many of these workers were Gaels, known to have worked in the mines from their inception until their closing, resulting in unique songs and stories in the local Gaelic tradition.
Bradan Press would like to acknowledge the significance of labour history in Nova Scotia and remember the many men and children who tragically lost their lives underground.
The above image is an illustration of “L is for Labour”, from the book G is for Gael by Shelayne Hanson and illustrated by Etta Moffatt, honouring Gaels’ contributions to labour in Nova Scotia.