The History of Labor Day

Few people know that the holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes in Hamilton & Toronto Ontario in the 1870`s. The result was a Trade Union Act which legalized union activity in 1872. The parades held in support of the movement, led to huge annual celebrations in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter McGuire saw one of these festivals in Toronto. He was so inspired, that he returned to New York and organized the first American "Labor Day" in New York on Sept. 5th of the same year.
After the death of a number of workers at the hands of the US military, during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland made reconciliation with labor a top priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making it a National Holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously, and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.
The vital force of labor has added immensely to the highest standard of living and the greastest production the world has ever known. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation`s strength, freedom and leadership, the American Worker.