Labor Day
Summary
This episode recounts the 1882 New York City Labor Day parade, highlighting how workers organized to demand an eight-hour day and political recognition amid rising industrial inequality. It traces the subsequent political battles, including Grover Cleveland's election and the 1893 economic panic, which forced Democratic leaders to compromise on pro-worker policies. Despite these setbacks, Cleveland signed the 1894 bill establishing Labor Day as a national holiday, cementing the movement's legacy.
Topics discussed
The 1882 New York City Labor Day parade
Post-parade speeches and worker goals
Shift from free labor to capital interests
Republican party and corporate influence
Worker banners and demands for reform
New York Times defense of class hierarchy
Daily Tribune critique of political rallies
Election of Grover Cleveland in 1884
Cleveland's warning on class division
1888 election and Harrison's business focus
1892 Democratic landslide and Republican fears
Economic collapse before Cleveland's second term
Abandonment of pro-worker policies
Labor Day becomes a federal holiday
First official observance in Chicago
Production credits for the episode
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