Scott Braden
In 1894, in attempt to please the hard working people of America, President Grover Cleveland declared the first “Labor Day.” Today, Labor Day is a holiday that is typically viewed as the last celebration of summer. More importantly, Labor Day commemorates America’s everyday worker—and we honor them on this day.
However, lest we forget, there was a time in this country (i.e. Industrial Revolution) when child labor was being utilized and it was extreme, unsafe, long and arduous; and children were forced to forego an education. Hard to believe, indeed!
A framed picture in my office shows a picture of youngsters at the turn of the 20th century holding picket signs in a city in Pennsylvania. It was a picture I fell in love with while visiting a museum in Pittsburg. One of the picket signs being held says, “We want to go to school!”
On this Labor Day, I’m thankful that our country offers a free and public education to all of our young people. I’m also thankful that young people have the opportunity to understand their humanity, and grow in knowledge, so as to have the opportunity to be fully alive.