Labor Day Trivia

When Did Labor Day Begin? Labor Day has been an official federal holiday since 1894. Linda Stinson, former historian at the U.S. Department of Labor, points to a labor-centric celebration held in New York City on September 5, 1882, as the first unofficial observation of a holiday dedicated to America's workers. The closing decades of the 19th century witnessed giant strides by the trade union movement in organizing workers to push for improved wages, fewer hours, and better working conditions. In New York City, many labor unions banded together in a coalition called the Central Labor Union. On May 14, 1882, members of the CLU called for a massive celebration of labor's achievements to be held in early September of that year. A committee of five was named to plan the event, which was held in a park on Manhattan's Upper West Side and included a parade and picnic, followed by fireworks. What Workplace Abuses Gave Rise to the Labor Movement? The holiday was originally set aside as a day to honor American workers and their contributions to this country's way of life. The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century, reached its zenith in America in the late 1800s. To keep America's manufacturing operations running smoothly and without interruption, workers, many of them still children, were forced to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Working conditions were harsh and often unsafe. To strengthen their bargaining hand with employers, workers began to organize into trade unions in the belief that there was strength in numbers. Despite sometimes violent opposition, the labor movement grew rapidly during this period. When Did Labor Day Become an Official U.S. Holiday? Inspired by the successful celebration of labor's achievements in New York City, similar local and state celebrations were organized during the 1880s. In 1887 Oregon became the first state to declare Labor Day an official holiday on the state calendar. Other states quickly followed Oregon's lead. However, Congress resisted the push to make Labor Day an official federal holiday until its hand was forced by a tragic clash between railroad workers and the Pullman Palace Car Company in the late spring and early summer of 1894. After George Pullman summarily cut workers' pay and fired union representatives, Eugene Debs, leader of the American Railroad Union, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars. Labor's move crippled railroad operations nationwide, and President Grover Cleveland ordered troops sent into Chicago to break up the strike. In the ensuing violence, several workers were killed, forcefully bringing the plight of workers into the public spotlight. In this atmosphere of increased sympathy for workers, Congress later that year passed legislation designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. How Has Labor Day Changed over the Years? Like a number of other holidays on the federal calendar, Labor Day has gradually morphed from a day set aside to honor America's working men and women to a day marking the unofficial end to summer. Ironically, the unofficial start to summer is usually observed on Memorial Day (last Monday in May), which was originally set aside to honor those who died while in the service of their country. Labor unions still stage celebrations on Labor Day, but for many Americans, the holiday's true significance has been lost.