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Show SHORT HISTORY OF LABOR DAY Labor day, which has become labor's greatest holiday, was first suggested in the New York City Central Labor union in May, 18S2. It was decided to observe the first Monday in September of that year as a festal day, with a parade, speech. making and picnics. There. were other holidays holi-days representing the religious, civil and military spirit, it was contended, but none the industrial. indus-trial. The celebration was held and was a big success. In 1884, the first Monday in September was declared Labor day by the American Federa-tion Federa-tion of Labor. All wage earners, irrespective of sex, calling or nationality, were urged to ob-cerve ob-cerve it until It should be as uncommon for a man to work Labor day as on the Fourth of July. State legislatures ve-e urged to make the day a legal holiday and 32 enacted laws to that effect. ef-fect. Congress made it a legal holiday in 1894 for the District of Coiumbia and the territories and while a number of states have no Labor day law the federal fed-eral act has been accepted by all of them. |