September 5 - The First Labor Day Parade

On this day in Labor History the year was 1882. That was the day the first Labor Day celebration and parade took place in New York City. The New York Sun printed a vivid report of the parade of 10,000 marching workers.

The paper described “men wearing regalia, men with society aprons, and men with flags, musical instruments, badges and all the other paraphernalia of a procession.”

The article went on, “As far ahead as one could see and as far down the side streets as forms and faces could be distinguished the windows and roofs and even the lamp posts and awning frames were occupied by persons anxious to get a good view of the first parade in New York of workingmen of all trades united in one organization.  All along the line cheers were sent up.” 

The reporter described the colorful banners carried by each trade union, and noted that following the bricklayers came “two decorated wagons containing brick arches.  On each side of one of the wagons were the inscriptions: “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for recreation,” and “Get on to it the Union will never surrender.”

From New York the idea of setting aside a holiday for workers spread. 

Oregon became the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1897. 

Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York established a Labor Day that year as well. 

By 1894 twenty-three more states celebrated the workers holiday.

It was that year, that President Grover Cleveland declared it a national holiday, in response to the Pullman Strike and Boycott that began in Chicago. 

Labor Day is day to honor the sacrifices made by labor fighting for safe and fair workplaces.