Some Thoughts on Labor Day
After first noting that the first labor celebration occurred on September 5, 1882 in New York City and became a legal holiday when President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making the first Monday in September a federal holiday, according to the editorial in today’s Washington Times, the newspaper writes:
“On this Labor Day, we might gain much wisdom by comparing our daily lives to the lives of the 10,0000 workers who marched for their rights in the 19th century - and who established this day of festivity and recollection. How much have our lives improved since then? What new challenges have emerged?”
The editorial cites data from this August 2007 Heritage Foundation study showing:
“since the mid-1960's, the amount of time the typical American spends working fell by eight hours per week. And the time the average American spent on leisure activities rose by just under seven hours per week.”
The following chart from the Heritage study shows how personal consumption spending on recreation has increased just since 1965. Proof that American life is indeed better than ever?
