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==Origins of Labor Day==
==Developments Throughout the 1890s, a national movement to commemorate labor developed. The Pullman Strike in 1894 occurred due to reduction in pay for workers as well as high costs associated with the Pullman rail company housing provided to them at a cost. The Pullman Company controlled much of the freight rail at the Late 19th time and early 20th Century==had vast power but also became critical to the operations of the larger economy of the United States. A strike was seen as threatening the US wider economy, leading to the government sending federal troops to breakup the protests after the protesters refused a court order to disband (Figure 2). This attempt at breaking the strike led to riots and violence, which eventually did lead to the collapse of the strikes but also many deaths. In effect, the governments actions were effective but politically costly for then President Grover Cleveland.<ref>For more on the Pullman Strike and subsequent events, see: Stein, R.C. (2001) <i>The Pullman strike and the labor movement in American history</i>. In American history. Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA, Enslow Publishers.</ref>
In the United States, celebrations in September 5th in celebrating labor had occurred by 1882. The American Federation of Labor and the Central Labor Union were two organizations that had advocated for a day to celebrate labor. Canada in the 1880s had also developed organized celebrations of labor. Trade unions in the United States had proposed a September date for a holiday throughout the 1880s. However, there was widespread disagreement, as many larger organizations, which wanted to link themselves with their colleagues in Europe, wanted to celebrate May 1 as Labor Day, holding events of remembering labor and to demonstrate against conditions. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to celebrate Labor Day.<ref>For more on how Labor day developed in the US states, see: Kevin Boyle (ed.) (1998) <i>Organized labor and American politics, 1894dh-1994: the labor-liberal alliance</i>. SUNY series in American labor history. Albany, State University of New York Press.<ad/ref>
Throughout The cost to the 1890sgovernment was widespread discontent with how the strike was put down. Cleveland, along with Congress, proposed having a national movement federal holiday to commemorate celebrate labor developed. The Pullman Strike in 1894 occurred due to reduction in pay for workers as well as high costs associated with gain some political support he may have lost, particularly from some of the Pullman rail company housing provided to the them at a costtrade unions. The Pullman Company controlled much of However, one stipulation for Cleveland was the freight rail at the time and had vast power but also became critical to the operations date of the larger economy of celebration be in September, that is the United States. A strike was seen first Monday in September, as threatening the US wider economy, leading he wanted to the government sending federal troops avoid celebrating in May due to breakup the protests after events of Haymarket. Cleveland did not want the protesters refused Haymarket events remembered and serve as a court order to disband (Figure 2)rallying cry for further demonstrations, strikes, or even political turmoil. This attempt at breaking Additionally, already the strike led US government began to riots be wary of political movements sponsored by labor movements and violence, which eventually did lead to the collapse of the strikes but also many deathswhat were socialist organizations. In effect, it was a holiday that put the governments actions were effective US in similar footing to what happened elsewhere but politically costly with a specific avoidance of a day that the US government feared could become a rallying cry for then President Grover Clevelandother riots or even political action.<ref>For more on the Pullman Strike and subsequent eventschoice of September for Labor day, see: Stein, R.CMarianne Debouzy (ed. ) (20011992) <i>The Pullman strike In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty: immigrents, workers, and citizens in the labor movement in American historyrepublic, 1880-1920</i>. In American history1st University of Illinois Press ed. Berkeley HeightsUrbana, NJUniversity of Illinois Press, USA, Enslow Publisherspg. 173. </ref>
The cost to the government was widespread discontent with how the strike was put down. Cleveland, along with Congress, proposed having a federal As Labor Day became an official US holiday to celebrate labor to gain some political support he may have lostin 1894, particularly much did not change from some earlier celebrations of the trade unionsLabor Day at state and other levels. Parades were held commemorating labor and calls were made for better working conditions and fair wages. However, one stipulation for Cleveland was the date of by the celebration be in Septemberearly 20th century, that is the first Monday prosperity increased in September, as he wanted to avoid celebrating many areas in May due to the events of HaymarketUnited States as market conditions improved. Cleveland Worker conditions did not want the Haymarket events remembered and become a rallying cry gradually improve, creating alternative opportunities for further demonstrations, strikes or even political turmoilcelebrations. Additionally, already Fairs began to develop around the US government holiday weekend and more family-oriented events began to be wary of political movements sponsored organized by labor movements and what were socialist organizationscommunities as leisure time increased for people.<ref>For more on how Labor Day events evolved into the 20th century, see: Coleman, M., Ganong, L.H. In effect& Warzinik, it was a holiday that put the US K. (2007) <i>Family life in similar footing to what happened elsewhere but with a specific avoidance of a day that the US government feared could become a rallying cry for other riots or even political action20th-century America. Family life through history</i>. Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press. </ref>
[[File:Workers leave ====Modern Celebrations====The 8 hour workday, which is what the Haymarket demonstrates originally wanted, did eventually come to the United States. First, at local and company levels by the 1880s-1890s, but recognized through federal laws such as the Adamson Act in 1916. Many of the Pullman Palace Car Workscore reasons for strikes faded, 1893although strikes often did reoccur as abuses were evident and economic hardships returned.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 2Labor Day increasingly began to be associated as a end of summer holiday. Workers leaving Stores and markets began to use the Pullman grounds event to market products. Schools began to organize their calendars around the Labor Day weekend, choosing to resume classes in an organized strikethe first Tuesday, although many still begin slightly earlier. As it is seen as the end of summer, it is also seen as the transition period for autumn sports and activities.<ref>For more on labor rights progress, see: Boyle 1998: 84.]]</ref>
As Scholars also debate that declaring Labor Day became an official US holiday in 1894September, rather than in May, as it is celebrate now in many countries in Europe, much did not change from earlier celebrations of Labor Day at state Asia, Africa and other levelsSouth America, has helped avoid more extremist acts in the United States. Parades were held commemorating Trade Unions, for a time, became relatively powerful but also steered organized labor in the United States away from more socialist and calls were made for better working conditions and fair wages. However, by later Communist movements that spread in some countries in the early 20th century. To this day, prosperity returned to many areas people in the United States. Worker conditions did gradually improvehave disassociated the radical influences that occurred in the late 19th century on the creation of Labor Day in part because of the date being established in September and possibly less linked, symbolically, creating alternative opportunities for to the May Day celebrations. Fairs began to develop around <ref>For more on the impact of Labor Day, see: Haverty-Stacke, D.T. (2009) <i>America’s forgotten holiday weekend : May Day and more familynationalism, 1867-oriented events began to be organized by communities as leisure time increased for people1960</i>. American history and culture. New York, New York University Press.</ref>
==Modern Celebrations==The 8 hour workdayAlthough Labor Day today is a Federal holiday, which it is what not mandated that all or most workers have the Haymarket demonstrates originally wantedday off. Nevertheless, did eventually come to most employers in the United States. First, at local and company levels by the 1880s-1890s, but recognized through federal laws such recognize it as the Adamson Act in 1916. Many of the core reasons for strikes fadeda holiday, although strikes often did reoccur as abuses were evident and economic hardships returned. Labor Day increasingly began they are not required to be associated as make it a end of summer paid holiday. Stores and markets began to use the event to market products. Schools began to organize their calendars around the The ideas of Labor Day weekendhave not completely disappeared. It still holds significance particularly for those calling for increased minimum wage and other perceived injustice, choosing to resume classes although organized labor is far less influential today than in the first Tuesdaylate 19th century. This includes labor equality and calling for equal pay for men and women for similar roles.<ref>For modern movements on labor issues, although many still begin slightly earliersee: Baldwin, R.E.As it is seen as (2003)<i> The decline of US labor unions and the end role of summertrade</i>. Washington, it is also seen as the transition period D.C, Institute for autumn sports and activitiesInternational Economics. </ref>
Scholars also debate that declaring {{Mediawiki:AmNative}}====Summary====Most official holidays in our calendar commemorate national or religious events. Labor Day in September rather than in May, as it day is celebrate now in many countries in Europea product of the Industrial Revolution, Asia, Africa when organized labor and South America, has helped avoid more extremist acts in radical movements began to organize against often appalling working conditions and low wages. The late 19th century witnessed several violent episodes where strikes were put down or economic disruption occurred. While many of the United Statesviolent movements were put down, it was recognized something must be done to appease increasingly organized labor movements. Trade UnionsWith improved economic conditions, many forgot the reasons for why the day became established and today has mostly a time, became relatively powerful but also steered organized labor symbolic meaning in the United States away from more socialist and later communist movements that spread in some countries in as the 20th centuryend of summer. To this day, many people Ironically events in the United States made May Day (May 1) an important date for organized labor internationally. For other countries, they have disassociated retained May 1 as the radical influences that occurred in the late 19th century on the creation of holiday for labor day in part because of . In left-leaning states and governments, it is even seen as among the date being established in Septembermost important dates to celebrate.
Although Labor Day today is a Federal holiday, it is not mandated that all or most workers have the day off. Nevertheless, most employers in the United States recognize it as a holiday, although they are not required to make it a paid holiday. HThe ideas of Labor Day have not completely disappeared. It still holds significance particularly for those calling for increased minimum wage and other perceived injustice. This includes labor equality, calling for equal pay for men and women for similar roles. ==Summary==References====Most official holidays in our calendar commemorate national or religious events. Labor day is a product of the Industrial Revolution, when organized labor and more radical movements began to organize against often appalling working conditions and low wages. The late 19th century witnessed several violent episodes where strikes were put down or economic disruption occurred. While many of the violent movements were put down, it was recognized something must be done to appease increasingly organized labor movements. With improved economic conditions, many forgot the reasons for why the day became established and today has mostly a symbolic meaning in the United States as the end of summer. Ironically events in the United States made May Day (May 1) an important date for organized labor internationally. For other countries, they have retained May 1 as the holiday for labor. In left-leaning states and governments, it is even seen as among the most important dates to celebrate.<references/>
==References==[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Holiday History]][[Category:Labor History]] [[Category:19th Century History]][[Category:United States History]]
Admin moved page What are the origins of Labor Day? to What are the origins of Labor Day
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[[File:HaymarketRiot-Harpers.jpg|thumbnail|left|350px|Figure 1. The Haymarket riots helped shape the development of a day for workers (May 1 in Europe) and Labor Day in the United States.]]
Labor Day, celebrated in the United States and also in Canada (spelled Labour Day), have been held on the first Monday in September. The holiday originates in 1887, where in Oregon it was first celebrated. However, its roots are older and related to the wider international efforts by workers to celebrate a holiday. These worker movements were also affiliated with leftist political action, which has shaped the choosing of the date in the United States. The complex, often political history, of Labor Day has also shifted in recent periods.
====Origins of Labor Day====The development of Labor Day developed through the history of the development of labor unions that arose as early as the late 18th century, particularly as factories and the industrial revolution Industrial Revolution began. With the rise and increasing growth of industrial development in the United States, labor unions increased in membership and, by extension, influencethroughout the mid-19th century. This was not unique to the United States, as countries in Europe as began to have workers organize and at times begin to conduct protests or even strikes.<ref>For more on the development of labor unions, see: Skurzynski, G. (2008) <i>Sweat and blood: a history of U.S. labor unions. People’s history</i>. Minneapolis, Twenty-First Century Books.</ref>
One major development in the the mid-19th century was the increasing demand for consumer products and infrastructure let , which led to increasing demands on factories, leading to growth that was fueled by unregulated labor markets. The supply of labor was plentiful as populations expanded, but this also meant that child labor and very long hours (12 or more per day) were typical. Average workers, despite working often 7-day weeks for more than 10 hours per day, often barley only just made enough to feed their families and keep their homes. In the United States and elsewhere, the second half of the 19th century saw increasing labor strikes protesting wages and often conditions, where sweatshop-like conditions often existed. With labor unions increasing in size, strikes became more effective in creating major disruptions to the economy, likely leading to eventual conflict with the authorities.<ref>For economic conditions that shaped labor movements in the 19th century, see: McVeigh, F.J. & Wolfer, L.T. (2004) <i>Brief history of social problems: a critical thinking approach</i>. Dallas, University Press of America.</ref>
May 1st was, from ancient origins, a festival day, often associated as a celebration for spring. This day was used by labor activists, socialists, and other labor proponents as a day to celebrate labor and its contribution to society. The events were also used as demonstrations against work conditions in factories. In Chicago, in 1886, May 1 was celebrated as a day calling for the 8 hour workday. On May 4, 1886, in Haymarket Chicago, an organized demonstration, also calling for an 8 hour work day and protesting earlier police killings of protestors, turned violent occurred. A bomb was thrown into the crowd and, combined with subsequent gunfire by police, several police and demonstrates were killed (Figure 1). Interestingly, it was in Europe that saw this event as being influential to the International Workers Conference in 1889 that called for annual demonstrations on May 1st to commemorate the events of the Haymarket event. In 1891, May Day (May 1) became recognized as the official day to recognize labor. In the United States, the events of Haymarket was highly negative to the authorities, while also it made them wary of the increasing power of organized labor.<ref>For more on events that developed from the Haymarket incident and related strikes, see: Rull, J. (2016). <i>The Chicago Haymarket Affair: A Guide to a Labor Rights Milestone</i>. History Press Library Editions.</ref>
====Developments in the Late 19th and early 20th Century====[[File:HaymarketRiot-HarpersWorkers leave the Pullman Palace Car Works, 1893.jpg|thumbnail|left|Figure 12. Workers leaving the Pullman grounds in an organized strike.]]In the United States, celebrations in September 5th in celebrating labor had occurred by 1882. The Haymarket riots helped shape American Federation of Labor and the Central Labor Union were two organizations that had advocated for a day to celebrate labor. Canada in the development 1880s had also developed organized celebrations of labor in September, likely influencing US choice for the date. Trade unions in the United States had proposed a day September date for workers (a holiday throughout the 1880s. However, there was widespread disagreement, as many larger organizations, which wanted to link themselves with their colleagues in Europe, wanted to celebrate May 1 in Europe) as Labor Day, holding events of remembering labor and to demonstrate against work conditions and wages. In 1887, Oregon became the first state to celebrate Labor Day .<ref>For more on how Labor day developed in the United StatesUS states, see: Kevin Boyle (ed.) (1998) <i>Organized labor and American politics, 1894-1994: the labor-liberal alliance</i>. SUNY series in American labor history. Albany, State University of New York Press.]]</ref>
