Values 365: D11

First and foremost, Happy Labor Day! I hope you have this wonderful day off and get to enjoy!

Here is a very short summary on Labor Day:

The first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

In 1894, it became a federal holiday. During the Industrial Revolution, a basic living consisted of at least 12 hour days, everyday. Even young children were working in factories and mines. The conditions were hardly safe, there were few breaks or sanitary facilities.

Labor unions began to organize strikes protesting better conditions, hours and pay. It was not a pretty time for many Americans.

It is very hard to imagine such circumstances today, here in America, but I’m sure they still exist in some form or fashion. Today, we hear about things like discrimination or harassment. For the most part there are actions that can be taken for unfair treatment.

There’s tons of information on this here

To end on a more pleasant note I found a few quotes on our Labor. Hope you enjoy!

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”
—Mahatma Gandhi

“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.”
—Ralph Marston

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Dare to be honest and fear no labor.”
—Robert Burns