Labor Day History
It’s easy to forget how much better the workplace is now than it was a century ago. Back in the 1800′s, a 12 or even 16 hour work day was normal, and you would work usually 7 days a week. Even children as young as 5 were working in factories all day. There was no such thing as OSHA, so work conditions tended to be much more hazardous. Wages were extremely low for the average worker and you didn’t get those cushy benefits either. Working in a factory posed horrendous and dangerous conditions until labor unions came along. Labor Day was established as a way to appease the rioting working class and celebrate their hard work.
September 5, 1882 (Tuesday)- first Labor Day celebration was held in New York City with a parade/demonstration
10,000 number of workers who marched in the first Labor Day parade
Founder- There is a dispute about whether Peter McGuire (co-founder of the American Federation of Labor) or Matthew Maguire (factory machinist) came up with the idea for a Labor Day celebration.
Oregon first state to declare Labor Day an official holiday (in 1887)
1894- President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a national holiday for the first Monday in September even though he openly opposed organized labor groups.
18% of American workers in 1900 were children under 16 and, despite laws being passed, this number didn’t change much until the Great Depression.
{sources: USA.gov/Labor Day and History.com }
Labor Day Facts and Stats
153.2 Million number of Americans (over 16 years) in the labor force as of July 2011, that number is down 1.2 million from Labor Day 2010.
12% of American workers belonged to a labor union in 2009.
84.7% of full-time workers have health insurance.
2.2 Million more females than males are in management positions as of 2009.
Registered Nurse– occupation expected to add the most positions in the next 10 years.
25 minutes– average time for the commute to work.
5.9 Million people worked from home in 2009.
Why not wear white after Labor Day? According to historians, it may be symbolic for those wealthy enough to leave the city for a summer vacation in which the “uniform” of choice was breezy and white- no white after Labor Day because they have to go back to their drab work/city clothes.
May 1st- when most countries celebrate Labor Day, also called May Day or International Workers’ Day. Demonstrations, speeches, and protests are more common for this Labor Day celebration which commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago.
The Longest Labor Strike– In 1991 workers at the Stockton Diamond Walnut Plant in California went on a strike that lasted until 2005- that is 14 years!
{source: U.S. Census Bureau}
Celebrate Labor Day
…And you men and women of Labor celebrating today the rights given you by the Constitution; rights for which you have fought down through the years; rights which have made Labor today a strong and respected force in our national life… –San Francisco Mayor Angelo J. Rossi (Labor Day 1939)
Football– Labor Day marks the beginning of football season, so get pumped up for your favorite team!
3 Most Famous Labor Day Celebrations in America- West-Indian American Day Parade and Carnival, Chicago Jazz Festival, and Los Angeles County Fair.
How do you plan on spending Labor Day?
Leave a Reply