“It was working men and women who made the 20th century the American century. It was the labor movement that helped secure so much of what we take for granted today.” -Barack Obama
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” -Thomas Paine
Hopefully you’re enjoying a well-deserved day off today. But while you do, take a moment to appreciate the struggle that not only resulted in this holiday, but also in an 8-hour workday, a 5-day work week, elimination of child labor and a whole host of other measures designed to protect worker’s rights. This article and this article takes you through some of that journey.
One more thing: the first Labor Day was a parade in 1882 (pictured above). But it wasn’t a holiday. It was actually an organized strike (An estimated 20,000 workers sacrificed a day’s pay and risked getting fired). Labor Day wasn’t declared a holiday until President Grover Cleveland signed the bill in 1894.
So, enjoy the barbecue and the beach. But remember to be grateful for all those who fought to make it so.
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