September 3 is Labor Day. Everyone else in the world celebrates on May 1. In April of 1856, stonemasons in Melbourne protested in favor of the work day being reduced to 8 hours as suggested by the "8 hour movement" (8 for rest, 8 for work, 8 for leisure). Previously, working 16 hours per day, 6 days per week was perfectly normal.
On May 1, 1886 over 400,000 workers protested in favor of the adoption of the 8-hour-workday in the U.S.A. Government troops responded by opening fire, killing 7 in Milwaukee followed by the Haymarket Riots in Chicago 3 days later. In that, a cop was killed and at least 4 workers when violence flared up between cops, scabs and protestors. 8 activists associated with the rally were sentenced to death. One commited suicide in his cell and four others were hanged. In 1893 the 8 were pardoned. Of course most had been dead for six years so...
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So, taking a page from the Christian Church which successfully co-opted countless heathen holidays by re-branding them feast days and religious observations (e.g. Easter... in which a breeding rabbit carries eggs that symbolize... Jesus, and his, uh, hatching from the tomb-metaphorically speaking); Labor Day in the U.S.A. was moved to to September.
Grover Cleveland didn't really like the idea of Americans feeling solidarity with the rest of the world's Reds and bomb-throwing anarchists. Besides, it's the last day when you can wear white! And if we want to express solidarity with other people, can't it be with Australians on their Flag Day? Or Qataris and Tunisians on their independence days? No harm there, right? You want to be a rebel, wear white after Labor Day and leave the molotov cocktails at home, ok? For the rest of you, grill and maybe take advantage of that furniture sale.
It's interesting that with late 19th century workers' newfound free-time resulted in growth in popularity of sports and motion pictures shown here:
And, since it's a three day weekend, here're are a couple of high-spirited, modern-ish Labor Day rebels keeping their clothes white year-round.
The Rubettes "Sugar Baby Love" 1974
These Animal Men "This Is the Sound of Youth" 1994
Miranda! "Bailarina" 2002
On May 1, 1886 over 400,000 workers protested in favor of the adoption of the 8-hour-workday in the U.S.A. Government troops responded by opening fire, killing 7 in Milwaukee followed by the Haymarket Riots in Chicago 3 days later. In that, a cop was killed and at least 4 workers when violence flared up between cops, scabs and protestors. 8 activists associated with the rally were sentenced to death. One commited suicide in his cell and four others were hanged. In 1893 the 8 were pardoned. Of course most had been dead for six years so...
GSo, taking a page from the Christian Church which successfully co-opted countless heathen holidays by re-branding them feast days and religious observations (e.g. Easter... in which a breeding rabbit carries eggs that symbolize... Jesus, and his, uh, hatching from the tomb-metaphorically speaking); Labor Day in the U.S.A. was moved to to September.
Grover Cleveland didn't really like the idea of Americans feeling solidarity with the rest of the world's Reds and bomb-throwing anarchists. Besides, it's the last day when you can wear white! And if we want to express solidarity with other people, can't it be with Australians on their Flag Day? Or Qataris and Tunisians on their independence days? No harm there, right? You want to be a rebel, wear white after Labor Day and leave the molotov cocktails at home, ok? For the rest of you, grill and maybe take advantage of that furniture sale.
It's interesting that with late 19th century workers' newfound free-time resulted in growth in popularity of sports and motion pictures shown here:
BLACKBURN ROVERS V. WEST BROMWICH 1898
And, since it's a three day weekend, here're are a couple of high-spirited, modern-ish Labor Day rebels keeping their clothes white year-round.
The Rubettes "Sugar Baby Love" 1974
These Animal Men "This Is the Sound of Youth" 1994
Miranda! "Bailarina" 2002