Labor Day weekend is upon us. For most Americans, Labor Day signifies cookouts, parades, and the unofficial end of summer. However, the origins of Labor Day revolve around the struggle for better working conditions.
The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City in 1882, when about 10,000 laborers gave up one day’s salary to march in a parade and later attend a picnic, concerts, and dance and fireworks performances.
Working conditions were harsh for many laborers during those days. Workers usually worked for 12 hours per day on seven days of a week, while factories, mills, and mines were hazardous places to work in. Child labor was also prevalent at that time.
Labor unions organized marches and strikes to demand safer working conditions, proper salaries, and eight-hour working day from employers. It took decades of unrest until President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894 through legislation with the holiday taking place the first Monday in September.
The local Labor Day happens in Bicknell with the Heritage Days Festival which runs Saturday through Monday.
