It’s Good to Know: The Hard Work Behind Labor Day

It’s historically uncertain whether it was Peter McGuire of the American Federation of Labor or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union who founded Labor Day (which Congress made a federal holiday in 1894). Probably makes no difference to you. However, in recognition of the day, here are a few facts to help you appreciate the labor you do - and how far we’ve come.

  • 12-hour workdays, 7 days a week, were standard in America in the 1800s - and even children worked.
  • The National Labor Union began fighting for an 8-hour workday in 1866.
  • In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act set a minimum hourly wage of 25 cents.

(Source: History.com) ]

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