Celebrate Labor Day
Even thought summer doesn't officially end until the third week of September, some people associate the Labor Day holiday with the end of summer. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September and signifies an important historical holiday that honors the "working people" who are dedicated to the social and economic achievements of our country.
Labor Day
Paying tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and being what some people consider the end of summer is celebrated with athletic events, parades and parties. Because Labor Day is a three-day weekend, it gives families a chance to reconnect with loved ones. Whether you are attending a parade, having a picnic or family barbeque, remember those who struggled to get Saturdays and Sundays off from work. Enjoy the long weekend!
Print out these job coloring pages. Pick one to color and then explain how you think this job might be important and how it makes the world a better place to live in.
Bricklayer coloring page | Fireman coloring page |
Carpenter coloring page | Gardener coloring page |
Inspector coloring page | Judge coloring page |
Mechanic coloring page | Painter coloring page |
Waiter coloring page |
History of Labor Day
Today, Labor Day is a family holiday. Many people pack picnic lunches. They go to the beach, the lake, or the mountains. Others invite friends over for a barbecue.
But the first Labor Day celebration in the United States was not about family or fun.
Back then, workers were not always treated well. Hundreds of new immigrants arrived in the country every day. Most spent all their money getting to America. By the time they arrived, they would take any job they could find.
Factory owners often took advantage of the situation. They paid workers little, but expected them to work hard. What's more, jobs were often dangerous.
Peter McGuire was 11 years old when he took his first factory job. His father had left home to fight in the Civil War. His mother needed money to support the family. Young Peter did what he could to keep food on the table. But as he grew into an adult, he resolved to improve working conditions in America's factories.
Peter believed that workers needed to unite. So he became a labor union leader. In 1882, the Knights of Labor organized America's first Labor Day parade. More than 10,000 workers took the day off work. They marched through the streets of New York City. They carried signs calling for shorter working days. They proposed a standard eight-hour day.
In the years that followed, more labor unions sprang up. They called for better pay and safer working conditions. They also asked the government to make Labor Day a national holiday. In 1894, Congress responded, and President Grover Cleveland signed the law giving America's workers their day.
Working conditions have improved over the past century. Child labor has been outlawed. Worker safety is now a priority. Laws restrict how many hours men and women can be required to work. Laws also now specify a minimum wage.