Happy Labor Day!

The Workingman's Holiday: Labor Day in America
Learn about Labor Day's 19th century roots
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On a seemingly regular Tuesday in the fall of 1882, a crowd of people gathered on the streets of lower Manhattan. A parade was forming—some participants rode by on horseback, others carried flags or played musical instruments. All were participating in our country's first celebration of Labor Day.

Organizers' intentions for ([link removed]) the day were clear: to "establish a general holiday for the laboring classes." Though many American holidays at this time honored religious, civil, and military occasions, none existed to honor the common workingman. Labor Day changed that, showing the public's great appreciation for the working classes that helped build our country.

Early events had strong roots in organized labor. Arranged by the Central Labor Union of New York, the first observance was attended by thousands of workingmen and women from all types of trade unions. In addition to honoring working Americans, festivities, which included public street parades, were meant to "publicly show the strength and and espirit de corps of the trade and labor organizations."
The Evolution of Labor Day

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Historically, Labor Day celebrations were frequently local in nature, consisting of street parades and picnics.

Many of these events exhibited and celebrated the strength and number of each community's labor unions. Prominent citizens often made speeches that emphasized the economic and civil significance of organized labor.

In the years following New York City's celebration, 30 states came to recognize Labor Day as a holiday. And on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law officially making it a national holiday.

The holiday remained significant to organized labor, particularly in the 1950s, when union participation reached an all-time high—over a third of all American workers belonged to some type of union. Since then, current membership numbers have fallen to roughly 10%.
Labor Day Today
Although Labor Day no longer signifies organized labor, it still honors everyday Americans in our workforce and their accomplishments. They are, after all, the backbone of our economy. We follow in the footsteps of our predecessors by spending the day with family and friends, picnicking or attending local festivities, and honoring all those everyday Americans.

Labor and the nature of work also continue to be current topics on the national stage. American workers, and the ways in which they have contributed to our nation’s identity, are still very relevant to us today.

In recognition of Labor Day, we invite you to explore our Labor Day Discovery Page, a collection of resources about the origins of organized labor, the nature of the American work ethic, and the government’s role in the average worker’s life.

Learn more on JMC's Labor Day Discovery Page ([link removed])
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History can always teach us something about the present, but only if it remains a priority. Without knowledge of our past, we have no basis to make important decisions about our country's future.

JMC supports those teachers who are championing education in America's history and its founding principles. Our growing network of nearly 1000 dedicated professors are making a difference on hundreds of campuses across the country. So far, they have taught more than one million students. Will you help us reach more?

Click here to help preserve our founding principles and history ([link removed])
About the Jack Miller Center

The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.

We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.

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