however, these changes were reverted, with the original name (Davis Day) and the date (June 11) being restored. For the remainder of the 20th century, the pledge of never working on June 11 was maintained and Davis Day was observed as a quasi-civic holiday in most mining communities. The closure of Nova Scotia's last coal mine in November 2001 by the Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO) threatened to mute the importance of Davis Day, but it has remained a day of remembrance for all workers killed in the mines in the province. Davis Day ceremonies are held regularly in Cape Breton; Florence holds a service yearly and the other mining communities combine forces and rotate hosting communities like Glace Bay, New Waterford and Port Morien. Stellarton and Springhill in mainland Nova Scotia also hold Davis Day services. Davis Day has also been observed in other mining communities in the province Westville and River Hebert. Memorial events have also been held in Minto and Chipman, New Brunswick where coal miners were also represented by the UMWA. In 1994, 1996 and 1999, private members' bills to officially designate June 11 as Davis (Miners' Memorial) Day were introduced in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. They did not proceed past first reading. In 2008 a private member's bill to officially designate June 11 as William Davis Miners' Memorial Day was introduced and passed. References Christina Lamey, "Davis Day Through the Years: A Cape Breton Tradition," Nova Scotia Historical Review vol. 16, no. 2 (1996), pp. 23-33. External links William Davis Miners' Memorial Day Act "Cape Breton Coal Strikes, 1920s," Graphic History Collective. Culture of Nova Scotia United Mine Workers of America Miners' labour disputes in Canada June observances Summer events in Canada Labour relations in Nova Scotia Labour disputes in Nova Scotia Holidays in Nova Scotia Mining in Nova Scotia