As I woke up on Labor Day I wondered if people really knew why we celebrate this federal holiday.
[ctt template=”5″ link=”2frKa” via=”yes” nofollow=”yes”]The Labor Day holiday is “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” ~ U.S. Department of Labor [/ctt]
The Pullman Strike of 1894 preceded the United States Congress unanimous approval to make Labor Day a national holiday
The Pullman Strike was a Chicago based railroad strike. It disrupted railroad traffic from June to July of 1892. The Pullman workers went on strike in response to their treatment by the Pullman company. In response to the depression, Pullam cut wages. However, they did not reduce the rent that they were charging to workers and their families in the company town. When a peaceful group of workers went to Pullman to complain about the wages, 16-hour workdays and subpar living conditions he ordered them fired. Finally, a strike was born.
The strike would not come to an end until the United States Army and Marshals Service stepped in. President Cleveland gave the order. It did not go as planned. The federal troops and the strikers clashed violently. Communities became enraged and riots broke out. Time describes it as “one of the bloodiest strikes in U.S. history.”
President Cleveland’s popularity suffered. He would never be President again.
So here we are on the first Monday of September having read through a history lesson. I hope that you have learned something, I know I did.
Most people see the Labor Day holiday as an end of summer celebration.
However, I feel that it is important to finally understand that it is much more than that.
21 thoughts on “Why Do We Even Celebrate Labor Day?”
It is great to learn what Labour day was all about Elise- I honestly didn’t know the history of it being Irish.
Many people do not know, even those living in America or American born. Thank you for being interested.
Thank you so much for this post! On Friday afternoon I told my husband we needed to get our big flag out and put it up outside, and he was like, ‘What for?’ I had to explain this same thing to him. (Sigh.) Great post! 🙂
Sadly, I think that there are many people that have no idea of the true meaning behind Labor Day.
Wow, great share. I’ve had thoughts over this and today, you shared it .
Thanks
I am happy to provide.
Hi Elise,
What a joy to be here again, hope you are doing well,
This is really an educative post, indeed a timely one which gives lot of information about the Labor Day.
The video speaks the history in nutshell, am sure the new generation may not be knowing this history.
Sure, this post will give some light to them about those wonderful events.
Keep sharing
Have a great day
Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate your valuable time on my page.
Best regards,
~ Phil
Hello. I am doubtful that the new generation is unaware of the true reason. I am hopeful that this will help to change that.
I agree. I believe we sometimes take many things for granted.
Thank you for this! It’s so important to remember why we celebrate certain holidays.
I think I needed it just as much as I thought that other people did. Thank you for reading.
That’s really great article and very informative too. I really was not aware about these facts about labour day. Thanks for sharing such important information. I will share this information with my kids
I am thrilled to hear that you will share the info with your kids. Thank you.
It is so important to remember the real meaning of our holidays. They aren’t just a day off of work. Thank for the history lesson!
You are welcome. I agree that it is important to remember the real meaning. Perhaps we can also bring some love back to America by connecting to the history lessons that shaped the world today.
I never really knew the real reason behind it … thanks so much for sharing this with us 🙂
My pleasure. Thank you for reading.
This is great to know! How have I gone my whole life not knowing why we celebrate this holiday?!
I had several conversations today about the Labor Day holiday and I felt so good to know the real reason. Now we both know.
Interesting, Elise 🙂
I was thinking about as well what it means because in Europe we celebrate the first of May.
Good to know and thank you for writing about
Erika
Isn’t it funny that May was originally considered but due to a desire for a pretty calendar (?) a different day was chosen.