Changes

The development of Labor Day developed through the history of the development of labor unions that arose as early as the late 18th century, particularly as factories and the industrial revolution began. With the rise and increasing growth of industrial development in the United States, labor unions increased in membership and, by extension, influence. This was not unique to the United States, as countries in Europe as began to have workers organize and at times begin to conduct strikes.  One major development in the the mid-19th century was the increasing demand for consumer products and infrastructure let to increasing demands on factories, leading to growth that was fueled by unregulated labor markets. The supply of labor was plentiful as populations expanded, but this also meant that child labor and very long hours (12 or more per day) were typical. Average workers, despite working often 7-day weeks for more than 10 hours per day, often barley made enough to feed their families and keep their homes. In the United States and elsewhere, the second half of the 19th century saw increasing labor strikes protesting wages and often conditions, where sweatshop-like conditions often existed.