The idea of organizing workers according to their trades spread around the country. Factory workers, dock workers and toolmakers all began to demand and get their rights to an eight-hour workday, a secure job and a future in their trades. Peter McGuire and laborers in other cities planned a holiday for workers on the first Monday in September, halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.
On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand
workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH, and EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION! After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day.
In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday.
Today Americans celebrate Labor Day with a little less fanfare on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians kick off their political campaigns by holding rallies on the holiday. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.
【雅思口语素材:Labor Day(美国劳动节)】相关文章:
★ 雅思口语Part 2话题:A Childhood Song
★ 雅思口语素材:2010世界杯FIFA World Cup
最新
2016-06-13
2016-06-13
2016-06-13
2016-06-13
2016-02-29
2016-02-29