Monthly Spotlight: Labor Day

Why do we celebrate?

   Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters.

   In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories, and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.

   People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities, and breaks.

   In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.

   Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.-- History.com

Fun Facts

• The idea first became public in 1882
• The New York parade inspired other unions
• It's said that the Haymarket Affair influenced Labor Day
• The holiday has evolved over the years
  • However, post-parade activities haven't changed
• Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog season
• The National Education Association is the biggest union today.
  • About 3 million people
• It's expected that more than half of Americans will travel over Labor Day
• May 1st (May Day) is the international version of Labor Day
• Canada celebrated "Labour Day" before the U.S.
• Coco Chanel broke the "no white after Labor Day" rule
• Labor Day is observed on a Monday for a reason
  • While the very first Labor Day in 1882 took place on a Tuesday, it switched to a Monday once it was adopted by the states.
  • Nowadays, Labor Day takes place on a Monday so employees can enjoy a three-day weekend.

Information gathered from the National Constitution Center and Today.

What is it?

Labor Day, noun

A day dedicated to working people and in some countries (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) is celebrated as a public holiday.

In the United States and Canada, Labour Day is the first Monday of September.

As stated in the Oxford English Dictionary

The History of Labor Day

• Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states.
  • New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. 
  • During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday.
  • By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit.
  • By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
• Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
  • Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
• The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.
  • The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
  • By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

This information is from the U.S. Department of Labor.

How to celebrate!

Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.-- History.com