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Monday, August 26, 2024

Why does America celebrate Labor Day in September?


There are a few reasons why we observe Labor Day in September. For one, September 5, 1882 is when over 10,000 workers had a planned unpaid leave from work. These 10,000 individuals organized a march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City. Though, it's important to note that the date for this event wasn't chosen for any specific reason. Peter J. McGuire, the organizer of the parade on that day, stated that the reason for choosing September was only due to the fact that it fell "between the Fourth of July holiday and Thanksgiving," according to Brittanica. In 1884, the Knights of Labor union decided that they would continue on with the September tradition, just changing the date to be "every first Monday" instead of being locked down to September 5.

The idea of a Labor Day was sparked in the 19th century as a means to honor our labor unions and workers across the country.

For context: Prior to the inception of the holiday, labor unions were advocating for "very specific improvements in their working conditions," according to CNN. Most workers in America were indulging in physically or mentally taxing jobs—and doing so all seven days of the week, with no real limit to the hours per day. So, through resilience and a dose of well-intentioned stubbornness, the labor unions saw some amazing wins! In short, they are the reason we now have a 40-hour work week and company benefits such as paid time off, vacation time, and sick leave! Labor Day honors the common American workers who helped change the way our country views its workforce, allowing for economic freedom and liberty.

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