Labor Day: Honoring America’s Workers

Written by: Paige Leal

Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September every year to honor the workers' contributions and rights. 

Origin

Labor Day was established as an official holiday on July 28th, 1894, but it truly started back in the early 1800’s. Workers had been facing extremely harsh and unsafe working conditions, having to work 12 hours a day every day of week, child labor, and very little pay. Labor unions started up and did things such as organizing strikes and rallies in hope that their protesting would result in better working conditions. The first Labor Day parade was on September 5th, 1882 involving 10,000 workers who marched through New York City for workers rights. 

The idea of having a holiday for workers spread around quickly and was even recognized as many states had passed legislation for it. On May 11th, 1894 there was a violent strike known as the Pullman strike, federal troops were sent to Chicago to stop the strike by the employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company. After these troops were sent in, it got violent and workers died. Tension grew huge between the laborers and the U.S government, to ease these tensions, Congress had made Labor Day a national holiday, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland. It would be celebrated the first monday every september, 

Celebration Today

Today, Labor Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, barbeques and other gatherings. It is also viewed as the end of summer around America, being celebrated with parties. Most schools, government offices, and many businesses close so workers can enjoy the holiday, but some people in essential services, retail, food service, and travel still work. It is a day of rest for most workers, to honor their contributions to America. 

The Meaning of Labor Day

Labor day is not just a long weekend, it is a day to recognize how Americans have fought for the nation's freedom and treatment. The movement that gave us Labor Day helped with the wages and conditions of workers, this changed lives for future generations. The Labor Day holiday is a reminder of how important workers are and were to shape the United States and change our lives. 

As we celebrate, we should take time to honor the workers who came before us and continue supporting fair treatment and respect for all workers today.