Tell Me About Labor Day
Tell Me About Labor Day…
In the late 1800’s during the Industrial Revolution working conditions were difficult for most factory workers and extremely unsafe for others. The average American worked 12 hour days, seven days per week and then only earned enough for what we consider poverty level now. In some states children as young as 5 years old worked for only a portion of what an adult would earn. Many worked without fresh air, sanitary conditions and breaks.
It was these horrible conditions that brought about the organization of labor unions who began to hold rallies and strikes in an effort to gain better hours, working conditions and pay.
The first “Labor Day Parade” was held on September 5th, 1882 when 10,000 New Yorkers took off to work without pay to march from City hall to Union Square. Many states passes legislation recognizing the first Monday in September as a “workingmen’s holiday”.
In 1894 employees of the Pullman Palace (Railroad) Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. When this threatened to cripple railroad traffic nationwide the federal government sent troops to break the strike. This action resulted in riots that took the deaths of over a dozen workers. In an attempt to repair relations with American workers Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday.
Even before the Federal holiday was recognized the worker’s unions and many states chose the first Monday in September to celebrate Labor Day.
“The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and spirit de corps of the trade and labor organizations”, followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the Selector movement.”
Today we celebrate Labor Day and the contribution workers make to the success of our American way of life all across our country with picnics, parades, barbecues, family and public gatherings.
Labor Day marks the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall and because of large numbers of potential customers free to shop, Labor Day has become an important sale weekend for many retailers in the United States.
However you choose to celebrate Labor Day we at M&M Super Moving hope you have a safe and happy holiday!!!
Check out Labor Day Events Around the Austin Area here https://mmmoving.com/holiday-events-in-austin/labor-day-events/.
Whether you are moving home or office we would love to help, get your free online quote!
Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/labor-day, http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day
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