For people living in the United States, the first Monday in September is Labor Day, a day to celebrate American workers.
And for many people, it means the last long weekend with family and friends before school starts.
Learn about the history of work in the United States, how Labor Day started, and current United State work statistics in this infographic from Office Depot/Office Max.
I had no idea the average work week for full-time workers has creeped up to 47 hours. Or that the most popular travel destination for Labor Day is Las Vegas.
If you prefer, check out the text version of the infographic.
Source: History of Labor Day [Infographic]
Celebrating American Workers: The History of Labor Day
The first Monday in September is set aside to celebrate American works. It also marks the:
- End of the summer vacation
- Last three-day weekend before most schools start
- For a few, the end of wearing white until Memorial Day
The History of Labor
In the 1880’s, the average work day was 12 hours, but could often reach upwards of 18 hours.
In 1933, the eight-hour day became federal law.
In the 1950’s, the eight-hour day finally became standard in the United States.
The History of Labor Day
Labor Day got its beginnings in 1882 when the Central Labor Union in New York called for a “monster labor festival” that included a parade and picnic.
In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday.
In 1894, Congress made Labor Day a national holiday.
2015 Labor Numbers in the U.S.
The average work week for full-time workers is 47 hours. The average work week for part-time workers is 34.5 hour.
The number of government-mandated vacation days in the U.S. is zero days. The average number of paid days off—including holidays and vacations—for private sector workers is 16 days.
Labor Day Numbers in the U.S.
According to The Auto Club, 34.7 million people traveled 50 or more miles from home last Labor Day.
Most popular travel destinations include:
- Las Vegas
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- San Diego
- New York City
If you’re celebrating Labor Day, hope you have a great day with your family and friends!
