As the Industrial Revolution took hold of the nation, the average American in the late 1800s worked 12-hour days, seven days a week in order to make a basic living. Children were also working, as they provided cheap labor to employers and laws against child labor were not strongly enforced.
With the long hours and terrible working conditions, American unions became more prominent and voiced their demands for a better way of life.
On Tuesday September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched from city hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first-ever Labor Day parade. Participants took an upaid day-off to honor the workers of America, as well as vocalize issues they had with employers. As years passed, more states began to hold these parades, but Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later.
The founder of Labor Day remains unclear, but some credit either Peter McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, for proposing the holiday.
Although Labor Day is meant as a celebration of the labor movement and its achievements, it has come to be celebrated as the last, long summer weekend before Autumn.
Have a safe Labor Day.
Photo by Jackson, Michigan Library.
cassy on September 1st, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Labor Day is the time when lots of people were gathered together to celebrate it.
While here in our place, people gathered not to celebrate labor day but its the day of protest. It is the day when the militants demand to have a higher legislated minimum wages.
Anyway what ever people do in this day ,as long as its safe and not againts the law, then let it be!