Labor Day History is Important to Remember

Maggie and I found through various reliable resources on the Internet that the first big Labor Day was observed in the United State on September 5, 1882 by the Central Labor Union of New York. President Grover Cleveland declared it a federal holiday in 1894 following the deaths of some workers who were killed by the U.S. military protesting their working conditions. Children, women and men worked long hours and their working conditions were less than satisfactory. In many cases there were tragic deaths and injuries. Labor Unions formed two main types of groups to protect the workers. Craft unions (skilled laborers) and industrial unions (laborers in the same industry regardless of their skill) were the groups. They both fought to shorten the hours, have better working conditions and fairer wages for the workers.

Even with the progress the workers made on changing thier environment, it took the Great Depression to end child labor across the nation. Adults were so desperate for jobs that they would work for the same wages as children. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 which placed limitations on child labor.

This special day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American workers. It is a yearly tribute to the accomplishments workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of this country.

So Maggie and I say, you go take that Cat-Nap you have earned it humans!

We discovered "The blood and sweat behind Labor Day" by Kenneth Davis, we thought you might find it interesting.

Don't forget to Hug your Animals
Maggie & Sam