Late 1880s
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.
On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.
The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states.
Labor Day Becomes National
In 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. 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.
Labor Day Forgotten?
As I write this on the eve of Labor Day 2021, I look around and it appears reason we have this federal holiday has been forgotten. The focus is on a long weekend, shopping, bar-b-cues, etc.
Take a moment to give thanks for all of the hard working farmers, factory workers, garbage collectors, store clerks, etc. (just to name a few) who toil to keep us going.
Also throw in all the 24/7 first responders (police, fire, and dispatch); doctors; nurses, military etc. All are dedicated to protecting us and they do not close up shop for the holiday.
Thank you all for your hard work!