What's on your Labor Day Weekend schedule? A BBQ and beers? Or maybe a home improvement project? A road trip to a fun and exciting location? A lazy pool or beach escape? There's no shortage of ways to celebrate the holiday!
But do you know why we celebrate Labor Day? Labor Day is the celebration of a hard-won employee rights. Back in the 1800's during the height of the Industrial Revolution when factory and mill workers were expected to work 12 hour days 7 days a week and still barely survived on the pay not to mention the horrific working conditions.
Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. The famous Pullman strike was the final catalyst for the holiday. The employees of Pullman went on strike to demand fair worker's rights but resulted in riots and the death of more than a dozen workers when the federal government sent troops to calm the tensions. To appease workers and attempt to regain trust, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a holiday within D.C. and the territories.
Today we typically celebrate with family and friends and enjoy our long Labor Day weekend with leisure activities and fun. As we enjoy our beverages of choice this weekend, raise your glass to those who came before us and left the U.S. a better country!