Labor Day
Labor Day was uniquely created to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. Each year, on the first Monday in September, American people pay tribute to the contributions laborers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the United States of America.
In 1882, the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic in New York City. This was the first known Labor Day celebration. The Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on the first Monday of each September. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day is more than just a holiday. It represents a very important victory for laborers everywhere. In the mid to late 1800s, workers were forced to deal with extremely harsh, unsanitary, and dangerous working conditions with very low wages, long hours, no breaks, and working when they were sick. Even small children were over-worked, underpaid, and in danger. Workers simply wanted employers to limit the age of workers, limit the hours employees were allowed to work, and provide a safe working environment. Fair wages would be another important and challenging cause for the laborers.
The first Labor Day was one way for workers to show their importance and their concerns by celebrating this holiday. Eventually in this way, along with other major strikes, the labor force was able to gain more rights in the work place.
Laborers were willing to take great risks on their jobs. They would build cars and elevators, walk girders on tall buildings, and ignite dynamite in order to build bridges, railroads, tunnels, and famous American landmarks like the Capitol and Mount Rushmore. So, many of the important achievements that symbolize the United States were not only created from the ideas of innovators but were also created by the excellent labor of dedicated American workers.
Today, because of the Labor Unions that were formed, American workers have a minimum wage, safety regulations, 8 hour workdays, and child labor laws.
Showing our appreciation and patriotism to the United States is to celebrate all our national holidays but also celebrate Labor Day to recognize the hard working people of America.
In 1882, the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic in New York City. This was the first known Labor Day celebration. The Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on the first Monday of each September. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day is more than just a holiday. It represents a very important victory for laborers everywhere. In the mid to late 1800s, workers were forced to deal with extremely harsh, unsanitary, and dangerous working conditions with very low wages, long hours, no breaks, and working when they were sick. Even small children were over-worked, underpaid, and in danger. Workers simply wanted employers to limit the age of workers, limit the hours employees were allowed to work, and provide a safe working environment. Fair wages would be another important and challenging cause for the laborers.
The first Labor Day was one way for workers to show their importance and their concerns by celebrating this holiday. Eventually in this way, along with other major strikes, the labor force was able to gain more rights in the work place.
Laborers were willing to take great risks on their jobs. They would build cars and elevators, walk girders on tall buildings, and ignite dynamite in order to build bridges, railroads, tunnels, and famous American landmarks like the Capitol and Mount Rushmore. So, many of the important achievements that symbolize the United States were not only created from the ideas of innovators but were also created by the excellent labor of dedicated American workers.
Today, because of the Labor Unions that were formed, American workers have a minimum wage, safety regulations, 8 hour workdays, and child labor laws.
Showing our appreciation and patriotism to the United States is to celebrate all our national holidays but also celebrate Labor Day to recognize the hard working people of America.
