About this record
Created by the labor movement to celebrate the achievements of American workers, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York on September 5, 1882. The idea quickly spread and by 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in most industrial cities around the United States. Labor Day became an official Wisconsin state holiday in 1893 (Congress passed legislation making it a national holiday in 1894). Labor Day, or Artisan Day as it was alternatively called in Milwaukee, was a day of great celebration for members of the Federated Trades Council of Milwaukee. This souvenir program, from the 1900 celebration, features excerpts from trade publications on labor issues, a profile of Eugene Debs, labor stories and songs, and advertisements from many artisans and industries. The program is printed in both English and German.Citation
"End of the century Labor Day souvenir: published by the Milwaukee Trades Union Label League, to commemorate the celebration of Artisan Day, Monday, September 3, 1900." (Milwaukee, Wis.: The League, [1900] (Milwaukee: Germania Press)); online facsimile at http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=1238