Story: Parades and protest marches

Labour Day parade

Labour Day parade

Labour Day parades began in 1890 when thousands marched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the eight-hour working day. It soon became an annual event in many cities and towns. This is the Gisborne parade in 1908. Floats represented different trades, and banners carried union slogans, such as ‘unity is strength’.

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New Zealand Herald
Reference: Auckland Weekly News, 22 October 1908

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'Parades and protest marches - Parades, 1890 to 1950', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/20830/labour-day-parade (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Ben Schrader, published 11 Mar 2010