Free Choice Blog

[4Lindsey]

Labor Day is a national holiday, when most people enjoy camping trips, family get-togethers, barbecues, and/or a lovely 3-day weekend. This year for Labor Day, I got to go horseback riding in the morning, and then I went on a 25-mile bike ride in the afternoon. However, that isn't what Labor Day was originally meant for.In 1893, during the Industrial Revolution, workers had little of the things workers do now. They were expected to work 12 hour days, all seven days of the week, in possibly dangerous conditions on low wages. Back then, workers didn't have anything like health care benefits or child labor laws to help them out (because even the children had to work ridiculous amounts for small pay...I find that sort of depressing...).Eventually, workers realized how crappy their lives were. Especially in Pullman, Illinois, at one certain railway company. Times for them had gotten tough, so the company had to cut jobs and wages. In response, thousands of employees simply walked off their jobs, outraged at the even lower wages they were putting in such hard work to get. They demanded higher salaries and lower rent costs. Other "unions", as they were called now, joined them, creating a national fury.In fact, the problem became so large that President Grover Cleveland took over. He declared the unions' riots illegal and sent in approximately 12,000 troops to detain them, unleashing a mass of bIoodshed. The unions' protests ended, but the workers' felt that their freedoms had been trampled. As an attempt to make up for their mistake, Congress quickly created Labor Day. Unfortunately for him, Pres. Cleveland's bad decision cost him his chance at being re-elected.Picture of Pres. Cleveland - he was the 22nd president of the United States.Artist's rendition of a 1893 riot in "Haymarket Square".

[Mr. Bruns]

Your the only person to choose this topic! I'm glad you did!