For this Labor Day, I am sharing a variety of sources on the history of the Labor movement and the founding of Labor Day in 1894.
CNN tells us, “Labor Day was first celebrated unofficially by labor activists and individual states in the late 1800s, according to the US Department of Labor. New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labor Day, but Oregon was the first to actually codify it into law in 1887. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York had followed suit by the end of 1887.” You may read the full article: When Labor Day Started
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LABOR DAY FACTS via HyroWorx
- The first U.S. Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City, planned by the Central Labor Union. The Labor Day parade of about 10,000 workers took unpaid leave and marched from City Hall past Union Square uptown to 42nd street, and ended in Wendel’s Elm Park at 92nd Street and 9th Avenue for a concert, speeches, and a picnic.
- Oregon was the first to declare Labor Day an official holiday in 1887.
- Labor Day is considered the ‘unofficial NFL season kickoff.’ 99.44 percent of the time, the NFL plays its first official season game the Thursday after Labor Day.
- The first Waffle house opened on Labor Day. In 1955, in Avondale Estates, GA, the very first Waffle House opened its doors to the public.
- What are we celebrating? The contributions and achievements of the 155 million men and women who are in the U.S. workforce.
- On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
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From VOANews, we learn Why American Labor Day Is in September …
What is the difference between Labor Day and May Day?
Both Labor Day and International Workers’ Day, or May Day, honor the common worker. May Day, which is celebrated in most industrialized countries in the world, got its start because of events in the United States.
In May 1886, a worker demonstration was held in Chicago’s Haymarket Square to push for an eight-hour workday. A bomb went off at the protest killing seven police officers and four civilians. The episode made headlines internationally and the day became an annual occasion for worker protests around the world.
Why don’t Americans celebrate May Day?
Following the Haymarket affair, a strong anti-union movement arose in the United States. Over the years, May Day became more associated with the political far left, while Labor Day, held in September, was recognized by a growing number of municipalities and states. When the United States began to seriously consider creating a national holiday for workers, U.S. President Grover Cleveland did not want to choose the May date because of its association with the Haymaker bombing, so instead picked the alternative day in September.
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Videos on Labor Day subjects:
History of Labor Day in the U.S.
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Workers Rights Activists and the History of Labor Day furnishes us a number of videos. These are via the PBS channels. They can be accessed individually (links below) or all are found on this page.
Do You Know the History of Labor Day?
The Revolutionist: Eugene V. Debs
For Jobs and Freedom: A Black Nouveau Special
Every Woman Dreams... 