Occupation Day

Occupation Day in the United States of Quentin is a federally-recognized holiday observed annually on August 5th, celebrating the workers and many jobs of the nation, and its overall economy. It is similar to Labor Day in a number of other nations, and nearly all businesses give their employees the day off on this holiday, with government employees having a mandated day off. Instituted by President Jonathan Redall in 1867, Occupation Day was created in response to the Industrial Revolution in the USQ, which began in the 1870's in the country and had its roots in the 1860's. The country was already relatively industrial, with railways and factories spread across the country, however in the 1860's the country rapidly expanded its factories and manufacturing sector, and also expanded its mining industry.

As a result of this industrialization, many more people were working outside the home, and the government recognized the importance of these workers to the overall economy and the competitiveness of the country in the global economy. The day was meant to keep these laborers happy, in addition to recognizing their importance. The day was not a holiday in any states before it was made a federal holiday, unlike other holidays in the country.

History

Industrial Revolution

Conception

Celebrations

As a result of Occupation Day being a federal holiday, all government employees have a mandated day off, and most other employees have the day off as well, though this is not mandated by law. Additionally, there are traditional work celebrations held at workplaces, with employees coming together to celebrate and to have large parties. Often with larger corporations these events can be huge, with hundreds to thousands of guests. With smaller workplaces, they have smaller attendance, however still include lots of refreshments, sporting events, and card games too. These celebrations only last a couple of hours, though, and the rest of the day is devoted to rest, with workers going home to their families and enjoying their personal hobbies. At 7:30 PM, in an event televised by most of the major networks, twelve soldiers, including six enlisted soldiers from each armed service branch and 6 officers from each branch, fire six cannons two times, for a total of 12 cannon shots. This is meant to symbolize the importance any job has to the country, whether a citizen's job is as presitigious as a General Commander in the army or as common as a Private. The major leaders of each branch, such as the Homeland Admiral or a General of the Army, are not present, however the Supreme Commander is there to greet the troops firing the cannons. This ceremony takes place outside 777 Cupboard Place, and afterwards the enlisted servicemen and the officers shake hands, with fireworks being set off above the building as well.

Other celebrations held during Occupation Day include Occupation Day television marathons, where networks will televise a certain show or movie series in order throughout the day, hoping to draw in viewers who are relaxing at home with their families. These are similar to marathons for other holidays, however for Occupation Day the content is not based on the holiday, but on what show or movie the network thinks would be most popular. Additionally, the Quentinian Department of Professions and Labor has held a videogame tournament at the Corner Outlier Federal Facility since 2016, as many players compete at numerous videogames.

International Confusion Over Name

Due to the day being called Occupation Day, there has been widespread confusion in other countries around the world about the holiday, as many are used to labor holidays being called Labor Day, or Worker's Day. As a result of this, many around the world believe Occupation Day in the USQ celebrates the occupation of Punctinaturalland during the Final Punctin Wars, or the occupations of the Megatridimensional Order and Paladinia in many past wars. This is not true, however, as Occupation Day celebrates the occupations of the country, and the workers who hold these occupations. There have been some petitions to change the name to Labor Day in the past, however the issue has not garnered much attention inside the USQ.