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Monday, September 7, 2009

September 7th - World Events & Holidays (Origin Of Labor Day In USA)


USA - Labor Day


For most of us in America, Labor Day means backyard barbecues, weekend sales, and a last carefree day before school starts. But the laid-back holiday has some seriously sad history, including chaos, riots, and even death. Let us explain.

A tragic tale
Back in the days of the Industrial Revolution, workers were expected to put in 12-hour days, seven days a week (yes, including kids). Already sounds awful, right? It gets worse. In Pullman, Illinois, a company town that employed and housed workers to build posh railway cars, times had gotten tough. In response, George Pullman cut jobs and wages. It was 1893. Thousands of workers walked off their jobs in protest, demanding higher salaries and lower rents. Other unions joined, refusing to work the Pullman cars, turning the small-town fracas into a national fury. With mail cars backing up, and riots worrying train execs, President Grover Cleveland stepped in. He declared the strike illegal and sent 12,000 troops to break the strike. Cue brutal protests and bloodshed. The strike was broken, but so was the spirit of the workers. To reach out to the labor movement, Congress rushed the national holiday into law. The bad will resulted in Cleveland losing re-election. But the day off for hot dogs endures.

When is it?
Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September. This year 2009, that would be Monday, September 7. According to the Department of Labor, Congress passed an act in 1894 making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

So, working stiffs everywhere, say it now, with feeling: Happy Labor Day.
(source: Article "The Sad Story Behind Labor Day" by Caludine Zap)

Monday, February 16, 2009

February 16th - World Events & Holidays

Martyr's DayBenin
Prohibition Remembrance DayUnited States of America
Russian Winter FestivalRussia
Religious Freedom DayUnited States of America

Sunday, February 15, 2009

February 15th - World Events & Holidays


National DaySerbia
National Flag of Canada DayCanada
Rose Monday (Tarija)Bolivia
National Lamb DayNew Zealand

February 14th - World Events & Holidays


St. Valentine`s Day
Trifon Zarezan (Wine-grower's Day)Bulgaria

February 13th - World Events & Holidays

There are no holiday events on record for this day

Thursday, February 12, 2009

February 12th - World Events & Holidays


Isra and MeragSudan
Lincoln's Birthday (see image)
United States of America
Union of MyanmarMyanmar / Burma
Youth DayVenezuela
Darwin DayInternational

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

February 11th - World Events & Holidays

Armed Forces DayLiberia
Kenkokukinen no Hi / National Foundation DayJapan
Youth DayCameroon
Anniversary of Lateranensi PactsVatican City State