The history behind the Labor Day holiday is far more complex and dramatic than most might realize, starting with a heated campaign by workers in the late 19th century to win support and recognition for their contributions. In July 1894, President Grover Cleveland finally signed into law legislation creating a national Labor Day holiday in early September -- even as federal troops in Chicago brutally crushed a strike by railroad and Pullman sleeping car company workers, leaving some 30 people dead.

Concepts

labor day

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

deadly railroad strike, great railroad strike of 1877, history.com: how a deadly railroad strike led to the labor day holiday, july 1894, president grover cleveland created a national labor day, labor day holiday

Show More Show Less

Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)
• The intended use for this resource is Instructional