The first Labor Day celebration in the U.S. took place on Sept. 5, 1882, when about 10,000 workers marched in a parade. A few cities soon followed with similar events. At that time, unions were often contested and strikes were brutally suppressed by law enforcement and the military. /2
Socialist groups and trade unions established May Day in 1889. Matthew Maguire, a machinist who many historians credit with proposing the holiday, was the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York and ran for vice president on the Socialist Party ticket in 1896. /3
However, President Grover Cleveland was uncomfortable with this link to socialism. Just days after suppressing the Pullman strike, where federal troops killed more than a dozen striking workers, Cleveland signed legislation in 1894 to make Labor Day the first Monday in September. /4
Cleveland acted partly to make a conciliatory gesture to the labor movement but chose the September date to sidestep associations with the socialist- and anarchist-led protests on May 1. The September date could be justified as aligning with holidays already established in some states. /5
Workers weren’t given the right to join unions until the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. By 1953, more than 35% of private sector workers were unionized. Less than 10% are today, thanks in large part to the anti-union efforts of Republicans. Most union members are in the public sector. /end
And they are disappearing very quickly in the federal Workforce due to the cowardice of managers to capitulate to this regime, who is not adhering to the rule of law in any way shape or form.
Shooti’s thoughts: I believe that understanding the true meaning of Labor Day requires recognizing its socialist and radical roots. Ignoring this history sanitizes the struggles and sacrifices that made workers’ rights possible, and paints over the conflicting priorities of workers and businesses.
Agreed Shooti! 👍🏼 Thank you for a very informative article. 🙏🏼💙
Agree. Republicans paint Socialism in ugly colors, but they lie lie lie and attack everything good so don’t believe those propagandists.
No GOP I have EVER asked this…and believe me, I do and have… Not ONE has EVER been willing to refuse their SS check! And sometimes their yaps take a brief pause when queried about it! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Unfortunately, only a brief pause.
Yes. Why I never choose to prolong any exchange.