Labor Day

The first Monday in September, thanks to an Act of Congress passed in 1894, is set aside to celebrate the national holiday we know as Labor Day. The U.S. Department of Labor provides an overview of "Labor Day History" that describes the last holiday of the summer as "a creation of the labor movement" that is "dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers." The social and legal background of the early 20th century labor reform movement comes alive at "The Triangle Factory Fire," an impressive exhibit created by the Cornell University Library and Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Exploring original documents, first-hand accounts, and photographs from Cornell's collections, visitors to the site can glimpse the horrors of the New York City factory fire that resulted in 146 young worker deaths, and then explore the path that led through investigation of a tragedy to New York's pioneering and landmark worker protective legislation.