Today In History: Labor Day

A fair day's wage for a fair day's work. Motto of the American Federation of Labor.

A federal holiday that is celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day recognizes the American Labor movement and the workers or laborers, people engaged in employment or work, especially hard physical work in industries like farming, manufacturing, construction, transportation and moving materials, and sanitation. Its history dates back to the late 1800s when  the Central Labor Union and Knights of Labor organized a parade in New York City to honor trade unions and labor movements. In 1887 Oregon became the first state that made Labor Day an official holiday and by 1895 President Grover Cleveland signed it into law as a federal holiday for workers.  In coming decades Labor Day would be celebrated by all, with a day off work and often entailing picnics, parades, and other festivities. Many schools across the country officially begin the new school year after Labor Day.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Labor Day's History: The Newest Holiday and How Its Observance Is Enforced Among Labor Unions. (1902, Aug 31). New York Times (1857-1922) 
• Gompers, S. (1904, Sep 04). The Meaning of Labor Day: President of American Federation of Labor. New - York Tribune (1900-1910) 
• This Is Labor Day: Will Be Big Parade.  (1907, Sep 02). The Atlanta Constitution (1881-1945) 
• Burgman, C. F. (1929, Sep 01). A Few Labor Day Reminiscences: Last Survivor of First Executive Council of American Federation of Labor Describes Struggles of Half-Century Ago to Obtain Fair Treatment of Toilers -- Some Unremembered History.  The Washington Post (1923-1954) 
• Saloutos, T. (1954, Sep 05). Labor Day History. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995) 
• Small, A. (1961, Sep 01). History Made on Many Days in September: Story of Labor Day a High Point. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) 
• Texts of the President's Statements on Rights and on Labor Say: Rights Statement Labor Day Statement Bids Nation Move Fast Calls for Opportunities. (1963, Aug 29). New York Times (1923-) 
• Townsend, E.  (1969, Aug 30). U.S. to Observe Labor Day with New 'Founding Father': History Rechecked Nomination Recalled. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Maddocks, M. (1988, Aug 26). A Short History of How Every Day Has Become Labor Day. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Value of Labor Day and Education. (1988, Sep 03). Weekend Chicago Defender (1980-2008) 

Tips:

• Early, Steve. The Civil Wars in U.S. Labor : Birth of a New Workers’ Movement or Death Throes of the Old? 1st ed. Chicago, Ill: Haymarket Books, 2011. e-book.
• Fisher, William Henry. Three Who Have Led Labor - Powderly, Gompers, Haywood. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1949. Closed Stacks Dissertations ; HD4854 .F57 1949. Thesis (Ed.D.).
• Issitt, Micah. Workers’ Rights & Wages. 1st ed. Amenia, New York: Grey House Publishing, 2022. e-book.
• Morrison, Walbert. Community College--Labor Union Cooperation :  Programs in Labor Studies. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1980.  Closed Stacks Dissertations ; LB2328 .M67 1980. Thesis (Ed.D.).
• Rhomberg, Chris. The Broken Table : The Detroit Newspaper Strike and the State of American Labor. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2012. e-book.
• Salz, Arthur Elliot. The Growth of Teacher Unionism in New York City, 1945-1962. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1967. Closed Stacks Dissertations ; LB2844.53.U6 N77 1967. Thesis (Ed.D.).

Images:

• Our Home Town Is an Industry Town, by Wickenbach, from the Ziegfeld Collection of International Children's Art, Courtesy of Teachers College,Columbia University.
• Poster Image: American Worker, Courtesy of Canva.