Although you may think that the holiday is simply a day off or a great time for a barbecue with family and friends, Labor Day actually has a much more important meaning. It may be a great time for back-to-school shopping and taking advantage of all those Labor Day sales but knowing the history behind the holiday makes it even more special.

In the late 1800s, the Industrial Revolution was at its peak in this country. During that time, employees often worked 12-hour days and had to report 7-days each week. Most of these workers earned barely enough to keep food on the table even with the long hours. In addition, children as young as 5 were often required to work in factories, mills and mines but were paid a fraction of what adults doing the same job were paid. Working conditions were often unsafe with very little fresh air and no bathrooms. Employees were not permitted to take breaks during their work shift. These conditions led to the creation of labor unions.

Manufacturing began to surpass agriculture as the leading employer in the United States but many saw this type of industry increasingly denying their employees even the most basic rights. This led to groups of employees forming what would eventually be labor unions who became more and more vocal about employee rights. The organizations began holding strikes and rallies to protest conditions and encourage employers to pay a living wage and to improve conditions in the factories, mines and mills. One of these rallies led to the establishment of the first Labor Day parade in New York City on September 5, 1882.

The parade in Union Square in 1882 led other parts of the country to consider a workingman’s holiday. States began passing legislation establishing the first Monday in September as a holiday to recognize the workforce. Congress established it as a national holiday 12 years later after the employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. The company called for a strike which occurred on June 26, 1894 and the country was crippled by the stoppage of railroad transportation. A riot ensued in Chicago, leading to multiple deaths. In an effort to end the unrest and repair ties with employees, Congress passed legislation creating Labor Day and it was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland on June 28, 1894.

Although the history of Labor Day is tied with the fair labor movement in the United States, today it is also viewed as the final holiday for children before they head back to school. Many businesses take advantage of this by offering Labor Day discounts on different school supplies. Some of the Labor Day deals you may find are on clothing, notebooks, writing utensils, tape glue and more. Throughout the United States, the first day of school is the day after Labor Day and many parents wait for Labor Day sales to complete their school shopping.

Labor Day is one of the top ten busiest travel days of the year. Because it marks the end of the summer season, many people use Labor Day travel to squeeze in one last trip before the busy fall season begins. According to experts, roads and airports see a significant increase in traffic as people embark or return from those Labor Day vacations. Prior to the holiday, many people search for Labor Day specials for hotels, rental cars and flights to different locations. One interesting fact, however, is that Labor Day flights were 14 percent cheaper in 2018 than they were in 2019. Although many of the Labor Day travel discounts offered by airlines are available if you book early, there may also be some last-minute Labor Day discounts available. Whether you are considering Labor Day flights to Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Houston or even an exotic Caribbean Island to celebrate the holiday, you may be able to find great deals simply by searching online or you can visit EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com.

One way to find great Labor Day specials is by signing up for EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com. The website has tons of great Labor Day travel savings that used to be available only to certain employees or members of specific groups. If you are planning Labor Day vacations or are looking for more back-to-school Labor Day sales, EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com can help. There is never a membership fee and you can sign up at any time. Not only can you find Labor Day deals on travel, you can also find savings on auto, health, insurance, medical equipment and more. These are not just Labor Day specials as some of the discounts are available all year.

If you are looking for deals on Labor Day vacations, auto supplies, health equipment or even insurance, visit EmployeeandMemberDiscounts.com. Our perk experts have searched and compiled some of the best discounts available, helping you save money. If you own a business or manage an organization, contact us today to learn how we can create a customized discount program for your employees or members. You can contact us by phone or by filling out the easy online form on our website. Our customer service staff is ready to answer your questions and get your program ready.