20 Interesting Facts About Labor Day

~Labor Day was first observed on September 5th, 1882.

~President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day to be the first Monday of September.
~Labor Day is celebrated in Canada as well as the United States.


~There are 2 different traditions concerning who founded Labor Day: Some state Peter McGuire, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, while others contend that it was in fact Matthew McGuire, a machinist, who founded Labor Day in the United States.

~The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City.

~Oregon was the first state to declare Labor Day as law.

~10,000 workers took an unpaid holiday to march in the first Labor Day parade.


~The American Federation of Labor declared in 1909 that the Sunday before Labor Day would be Labor Sunday on which the spiritual and educational ideas of the labor movement would be emphasized.

~Labor Day was founded when many in America worked 16 hour days in harsh work environments.

~Labor Day is unofficially celebrated as the end of summer in America.

~Labor Day marks the beginning of the school year in most districts.



~Traditionally, it has been unacceptable to wear white after Labor Day, though today's fashion rules seem to be tired of this tradition.

~Many other countries celebrate May Day a holiday very similar to our Labor Day, dedicated to workers' rights.

~The first Labor Day parade was actually not held on a Monday, but on a Tuesday.

~The first Labor Day was really a rally for the adoption of eight hour work days and other more suitable working conditions.

~A union known as the Knights of Labor were responsible for organizing the first Labor Day demonstration.

~President Grover Cleveland who signed Labor Day into law was in fact a staunch opponent of organized labor groups. Nevertheless, he pushed Labor Day through Congress in lightning speed in order to stop literal riots that were breaking out across the United States.

~Detroit was the biggest player in the early days of the labor movement. Workers demanded that their days be shortened to 10 hours and their pay be raised to 2 dollars an hour (a steep wage in that day).

~The 1930s was the era that saw the most laws written to protect workers rights.

~Thank Walter Reuther for paid vacation and paid sick leave. He campaigned hard for these rights in the 30s.



~Happy Labor Day!

facts from here http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2116249/20_interesting_facts_about_labor_day.html?cat=74
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