Northwest labor press., August 15, 2014, Page 3, Image 3

...Labor Day history
(From Page 2)
other states had adopted the holiday in
honor of workers, and on June 28 of
that year, Congress passed an act mak-
ing the first Monday in September of
each year a legal holiday in the District
of Columbia and the territories.
A N ATIONWIDE H OLIDAY
The form that the observance and
celebration of Labor Day should take
were outlined in the first proposal of
the holiday — a street parade to exhibit
to the public “the strength and esprit de
corps of the trade and labor organiza-
tions” of the community, followed by
a festival for the recreation and amuse-
ment of the workers and their families.
This became the pattern for the cele-
brations of Labor Day. Speeches by
prominent men and women were intro-
duced later, as more emphasis was
placed upon the economic and civic
significance of the holiday.
Still later, by a resolution of the AFL
convention of 1909, the Sunday pre-
ceding Labor Day was adopted as La-
bor Sunday and dedicated to the spiri-
tual and educational aspects of the
labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day cel-
ebration has undergone a change over
the years, especially in large industrial
centers where mass displays and huge
parades have proved a problem. This
change, however, is more a shift in em-
phasis and medium of expression. La-
bor Day addresses by leading union of-
ficials, industrialists, educators, clerics
The first state bill was
introduced into the New
York Legislature, but the first
to become law was passed
by Oregon on Feb. 21, 1887.
During the year four more
states — Colorado,
Massachusetts, New Jersey,
and New York — created
the Labor Day holiday by
legislative enactment.
and government officials are given
wide coverage in newspapers, radio,
and television.
The vital force of labor added mate-
rially to the highest standard of living
and the greatest production the world
has ever known and has brought us
closer to the realization of our tradi-
tional ideals of economic and political
democracy. It is appropriate, therefore,
that the nation pay tribute on Labor
Day to the creator of so much of the na-
tion’s strength, freedom, and leadership
— the American worker.
(Editor’s Note: This article is from
the Northwest Labor Press archives. It
is a history of the Labor Day researched
by the U.S. Department of Labor.)
Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor This Labor Day!
8-Hour Day, Paid Sick Leave,
Higher Wages, Health Insur-
ance, Overtime Pay, Pensions,
Safer Working Conditions,
Paid Holidays, Job
Security, Severance Pay, Paid
Vacations,
Maternity Leave
The preceding were brought to you by the
men and women of organized labor, who won
these benefits at the bargaining table and set
the standard for all working Americans.
(International Standard Serial Number 0894-444X)
Established in 1900 at Portland, Oregon
as a voice of the labor movement.
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Editor: Michael Gutwig
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AUGUST 15, 2014
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
PAGE 3