To a typical college student, the words “Labor Day” don’t have much significance. This holiday brings to mind the winding down of summer break and a final chance for leisure and partying before fall classes begin.

Though Labor Day was, in part, designed as a day for relaxation, it also carries a tribute to the hard work and dedication of American workers.

The history of Labor Day dates back to the onset of the Industrial Revolution when Americans switched from the agriculture and farming business to join the booming, promising world of industry.

Workers flocked to mines and factories, only to encounter horrible working conditions and wages so low that men, women and children as young as six needed to work to support the family. In the workplace, employees faced brutal hours, up to 60 per week, earning an average of 20 cents per hour.

To combat these abusive working conditions, unions began to form. Union groups would organize strikes among workers to demand improved conditions and wages from their employers. Eventually, the labor unions helped to eliminate child labor, enact a minimum wage policy, compensate for overtime hours and add benefits such as health insurance for employees.

Talk of an organized day to celebrate workers began with carpenter and labor union leader Peter McGuire, who suggested that Americans set aside one day of the year to honor all working citizens.

McGuire chose September to host his holiday so that celebrations could take advantage of the month’s remaining summery weather and provide a much-needed day off between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Labor Day became the country’s first Monday holiday and workers were guaranteed a three-day weekend for relaxing and celebrating.

On Sept. 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union organized the very first Labor Day celebration in New York City. Two main components were integrated into the soon-to-be holiday: a parade to symbolize the strength of workers in the face of industry owners and a picnic to promote unity among workers of all different backgrounds and trades. The first Labor Day also incorporated speeches, concerts and fireworks as part of its festivities.

The holiday spread rapidly throughout the country. By 1890, most major industrial cities recognized Labor Day. Finally, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a national holiday, despite his well-known disapproval of organized unions.

Today’s celebrations of Labor Day have strayed a bit from past years. Instead of participating in political rallies, Americans tend to spend the day with friends and family enjoying and bidding farewell to the last remaining hours of summer.

Sources: “The First Labor Day,” Helene Henderson; “The History of Labor Day,” U.S. Department of Labor, www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm.

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