hey there and welcome back today I'm diving into the real history of Labor Day and asking an important question have we forgotten the true meaning of this holiday grab a seat and let's get right into it Labor Day celebrated on the first Monday of September marks the achievements of American workers but where did it all start picture this it's the late 19th century and labor activists are fighting hard for recognition back then Life as a worker wasn't exactly glamorous long hours low pay and unsafe conditions were the Norms this is where Labor Day comes in the first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th 1882 in New York City organized by the central labor union it featured a parade that showcased the strength and solidarity of workers imagine marching down the streets of New York shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of your fellow workers demanding better working conditions and fair wages pretty powerful right now there's a bit of a debate about who actually found Ed Labor Day some credit Peter J Maguire of the American Federation of Labor While others say it was Matthew Maguire a machinist and Union secretary either way the idea quickly caught on by 1894 23 States had adopted the holiday and Congress declared it a Federal holiday on June 28th 1894 this was a massive win for the labor movement over the years Labor Day has evolved originally it was a time for parades parties and speeches that highlighted workers contributions to the economy and Society there was even something called Labor Sunday which focused on the educational and spiritual aspects of the labor movement but here's the thing today many people see Labor Day as just a long weekend marking the end of summer barbecues sales and maybe a last minute getaway have we lost touch with the holiday's original intent let's think about it the labor movement fought and continues to fight for things many of us take for granted the eight hour workday weekends safe working conditions and fair wages Labor Day is a reminder of these hard one victories it's a time to honor the contributions of workers across the country not just with a day off but with a nod to the history that made it possible so this Labor Day maybe take a moment to reflect think about the workers who came before you and the ones who are still fighting for better conditions today because Labor Day isn't just a holiday it's a testament to the enduring leg Legacy of the labor movement and its impact on American society thanks for watching if you found this video interesting don't forget to like And subscribe for more deep dives into history and current events and please leave a comment below and share this video with your friends let's keep the conversation going catch you next time