Why do we have Labor Day?

While it’s great to have a day off work to celebrate the end of summer, how did this holiday get started, and what is it in celebration of?

The nitty gritty is that the Labor Day holiday was created out of the labor movement in the late 19th century. Remember when you had to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week? No? Well you can thank the labor movement way back when.

Because of long hours, unsafe and unsanitary working conditions, and poor treatment by management, labor unions organized and workers began holding strikes and protest rallies. The factory owners were not happy about this and the strikers and organizers were often shot and other nasty things.

So, it was a big thing when we got the 40 hour work week and paid holidays. So they created a special day to appreciate what others went through to give us the rights we have in the workplace today.

So have fun on Labor Day, drive safe if you are travelling, and enjoy your backyard barbecues and family gatherings on this day.