Letters from an American August 31, 2025
31 snips
Sep 1, 2025 The podcast unveils the inaugural Labor Day celebration in 1882, spotlighting its impact on worker rights and the struggle against corporate interests. It dives into the evolving perceptions of class and labor during Gilded America, particularly during pivotal elections. The discussion highlights the economic turmoil of the early 1890s, framing Labor Day as a response to financial crises and a rallying point for workers advocating for legal reforms. The intertwining of politics and labor movements offers a vibrant look at America's history.
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First Labor Day Parade
- Workers in New York City held the first Labor Day parade on September 5, 1882, after the Jewelers Union provided musicians.
- The march grew to 10,000–20,000 people who paraded through lower Manhattan and ended with speeches and picnics.
Labor As Political Force
- Workers marched to emphasize their importance in the industrial economy and to demand political attention.
- Their banners framed labor as the source of wealth and called for organization, the ballot, and eight-hour days.
Corporations Shaped Government
- By the 1880s, industrial capital and corporations had shifted government toward the wealthy and away from workers.
- Newspapers noted the Senate had become a club of rich men tied to corporate interests.