WE'RE GOING TO SHOP!" To most people the 29th, the much-heralded "Labour Day," had passed much as any other day.
People were too preoccupied with their other tasks that they did not notice Labour Day had come and gone. 
mnli hypothesis: People were too preoccupied with their other tasks that they did not notice Labour Day had come and gone.  premise: WE'RE GOING TO SHOP!" To most people the 29th, the much-heralded "Labour Day," had passed much as any other day.