Labor Day history here in the US honors the American labor movement. It celebrates the contribution of laborers and the working class to the economic and social well-being of the country. The American Labor Day is similar to “Labour” Day, or International Workers Day, or May Day. While they’re symbolically similar in representing workers’ rights, they fall on different days. Read on to learn about Labor Days around the world.
Labor Day History of The United States of America
The annual holiday that gives us all an excuse to sneak in one final summer getaway owes its existence to the diligent laborers of the late nineteenth century. The American labor movement in the late 1800s was crucial to help recognize the contributions of the working class citizens towards the country’s economy. The American Federation of Labor, and the Knights of Labor were some of the most important labor unions, whose actions paved the way for the official recognition of the September holiday by the American government. The standard 40 hour work week is the result of said labor movement, which provides us contemporary working class citizens with the all-important work-life balance that we want and deserve!
Labor Day History of Australia
Labor Day in Australia is an important annual public holiday that commemorates the working class, who struggled to ensure fair working hours for themselves. Working conditions in the Oceanic country during the mid-late 1800s were arduous and demanding, with the workday often stretching up to more than 12 hours a day, six days a week. Laborers sought to change this, and the ensuing labor movement caused stonemasons to march to the Parliament House to demand an eight-hour workday. An agreement for a 48 hour work week was eventually reached. Shortly after, the then-Victorian Government decided to proclaim a public holiday. It became known as May Day, the Labor Day of Australia.
Labor Day History of Germany
This might come as a surprise, but Labor Day in Germany (or “Tag der Arbeit”, its German translation) was first instated as a public holiday in the nation in 1933 by the then-recently installed Nazi Government. Even after the fall of the Third Reich, it remained as a state holiday in both East and West Germany. This further continued in unified Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today, the German Labor Day plays host to several celebrations by workers’ organizations, political parties and labor unions. Celebrations in recent times, however, have been occasionally marred by violent protests or riots by opposing political groups of the nation.
Check back next week to read about the history of Labor Day in the Philippines, South Africa and India!
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