Historical look at Labor Day | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The History Of Labor Day

Celebrate Labor Day by learning about the law changing activities that created the holiday.

8288
The History Of Labor Day
Kheel Center

The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century sparked a growth in business and production for the United States. Factory and mill working began to overtake farming as more and more people moved out to the cities to find work.

Despite the unsafe work conditions and long work hours people of all ages worked in mills, factories and mines all over the country.

Deciding to no longer tolerate poor working conditions and long hours, labor unions became more prominent within different industries. Workers protested the long hours and poor conditions, and in 1882, one of the protests sparked the creation of Labor Day.

On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from New York City’s city hall to Union Square, making it the first Labor Day parade.

The celebration of Labor Day spread across the country, with several states recognizing the holiday with legislation. Labor Day did not become a federal holiday until 1894 after the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago protested wage cuts and the firing of union representatives.

The identity of the person who created the idea of the holiday is still in dispute. Many historians name Peter McGuire, the cofounder of the American Federation of Labor as the person who first proposed Labor Day, while others name Matthew Maguire, secretary of the Central Labor Union as the individual who developed the holiday.

During the first years of the holiday, individuals celebrated with parades around cities. Even though parades are still a part of the celebration today, one of the most popular ways to celebrate Labor Day is with a nice barbecue.

The United States is not the only country that celebrates their workers. In Canada, Labor Day is also celebrated at the beginning of September. Like the United States, Canada declared Labor Day a national holiday in 1894 after strikes and parades filled the streets of Toronto.

In other parts of the world, workers are celebrated on International Workers Day, or May Day, which takes place on May 1. The international holiday uses the May 1 date to honor the Haymarket Riots of 1886.

Even though the Haymarket Riots did take place in the United States, President Cleveland did not want to encourage violence by having Labor Day at the beginning of May.

Besides the tradition of honoring the workers and protesting for their rights, the tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day was also upheld during the 19th century.

During this time in history, white fabric was mostly worn by the upper class, because the working class would most likely have to worry about dirtying their clothes during the workday. While vacationing in the summer, the well to do would wear their breezy white clothes and once September came around, they would switch up their wardrobe.

Fashion designer Coco Chanel began the trend of debunking this rule in the 1920s when she made a statement by wearing white year round.

Labor Day started as a way for workers to protest and fight against poor conditions and long working hours. For workers today, the issue of working for long hours in poor conditions seems to be a thing of the past and issues with closing the gender wage gap and the minimum wage have been taking center stage.

For most people, the holiday serves as a reminder for the end of summer, but it is important to remember the history that brought the important worker’s rights issues to light.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179781
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6881
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452241
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23177
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments