The first Labor Day Parade, Union Square, September 5, 1882

INSTALLED 2002

Part of a series of 22 plaques surrounding Union Square depicting the history of the square from 1600 to 1882 - the year in which the first Labor Day Parade took place at Union Square, and labor movement events that were held in the United States (Union)

The plaques are made of bronze, designed by Gregg LeFevre and set up in 2002

The Labor Day and Labor Day parade in the United States is celebrated on the first second day of September. The holiday originated in the struggle of the labor movement (which began in Canada) to safeguard workers’ rights and in particular limit the number of daily working hours to only 9 hours.
The parade in 1882 at Union Square is the first to be celebrated in the United States and began a tradition that continues to this day.

On the sign you can see signs in the spirit of the purpose of the parade:
8 HOURS TO CONSTITUTE A DAYS WORK, LABOR PAYS ALL TAXES, VOTE FOR THE LABOR TICKET, THE TRUE REMEDY IS ORGANISATION & THE BALLOT, ALL MEN ARE BORN EQUAL, WHO STOLE THE TENEMENT HOUSE REFORM BILL, LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH, ABOLISH CONVICT LABOR, AGITATE EDUCATE ORGANIZE, PAY NO RENT, RUN TO VICTORY

The plaque used the original picture that appeared on Frank Leslie’s Weekly Illustrated Newspaper’s September 16, 1882 issue. see the original in Wikimedia the first American Labor parade