This Labor Day, here are some lessons from 3 pivotal moments in workers' history
NPR
Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894, thanks to President Grover Cleveland. At its core, the day is meant to celebrate the common worker.
But hear Labor Day and what comes to mind? Grilled hot dogs, the end of summer? Maybe back-to-school sales?
"Labor Day should be a moment when we all reflect the critical contributions of working people to the political, economic and cultural development of this country," said Claudrena Harold, a history professor at the University of Virginia.
Three moments in labor history, in particular, are central to U.S. history, the modern labor movement, and today's workplace, according to history and labor scholars.
As workers face growing levels of wage and income inequality, as well as workplace challenges stemming from the COVID pandemic, there are lessons we can learn from the past, Harold told NPR.
