In the late 1800s, during the peak of the Industrial Revolution, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to make a living.
Late in the nineteenth century, labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s power, fortune, and well-being. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
Labor Day is an annual commemoration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. This holiday is celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks displays. For many Americans, particularly the younger generation, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of our quality of life. Americans hard work has also contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known. The labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our ideals of economic and political democracy.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 changed several holidays to ensure they would always be observed on Mondays so that federal employees could have more three-day weekends. The Act, signed into law on June 28, 1968, moved Washington’s Birthday Memorial Day, and Columbus Day to fixed Mondays each year.
As the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the author of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – cheers to you, the American worker! And thank you to all of the team members here at Missouri Southern Seed. We appreciate each and every one of you!
