September 2024
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates the achievements of American workers and commemorates the labor movement of the late 19th century. The holiday is observed on the first Monday of September each year.
The roots of Labor Day can be traced back to the decades following the Civil War, when workers rallied and went on strike to demand better working conditions and shorter workdays. During the Industrial Revolution, workers also organized demonstrations to push for improved working conditions. Labor activists wanted to recognize the contributions workers have made to the country's prosperity, strength, and well-being. They also wanted working people to have a greater say in society and advocated for alternatives to the capitalist wage system.
The idea for Labor Day is generally attributed to union leader Peter J. McGuire, but some scholarship suggests that Matthew Maguire, a representative from the Machinists Union, may have actually come up with the idea. In 1882, Maguire suggested to the Central Labor Union of New York that they celebrate workers with a parade, and around 10,000 workers participated. By 1885, Labor Day celebrations were being held in several states, and in 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making it a national holiday. Some historians believe that Cleveland's decision to establish Labor Day was a way to "make peace" with the working class after the Pullman Palace Car Company strike earlier that year. During the strike, the company cut wages without reducing rent in the company-owned town where workers lived, and over 12 workers were killed when Cleveland sent federal troops to break up the strike.