Labor Day: More Than Just a Long Weekend

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UConn Law Library will be closed Monday, September 2, in honor of Labor Day. Although considered the “unofficial” end of summer and celebrated with cookouts, parades and athletic events, Labor Day’s purpose is to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers.

Labor Day  was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed a bill, S. 730, establishing Labor Day as a national holiday.

The earliest known celebration of Labor Day is recognized as September 5, 1882 when a parade, followed by a picnic, was sponsored by the Central Labor Union in New York City. Many workers risked their jobs to participate in this parade.

 

Photo from 1882 showing first Labor Day Parade
Illustration of the first American Labor parade held in New York City on September 5, 1882 as it appeared in the September 16, 1882 issue of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.

 

Did you know that many Federal holidays fall on a Monday because of the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act? This act enabled federal and state employees to enjoy more three day weekends.

For more information on the history of Labor Day, check out this collection of blog posts about Labor Day at the Library of Congress Blog.  and this article, What Is Labor Day? A History of the Workers’ Holiday by the New York Times.

As we enjoy the holiday, let’s remember the dedication and struggles of those who came before us and continue to strive for a fair and equitable workplace for all. See you all on September 3, when the library reopens.