Credit: farmersalmanac.com This year's date marks its 129th celebration! |
" Labor Day is unique in that it celebrates American workers. Labor Day is a holiday dedicated to honoring the contributions U.S. workers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country. The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. The originator of this celebration was the Central Labor Union." "...the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and a picnic.
Following the deaths of workers during the Pullman Railroad Strike of 1894 in Chicago, and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve legislation to make Labor Day a national holiday, making the official date the first Monday in September. President Grover Cleveland signed it into law six days after the end of the strike. " |