Today in Labor History
Today in labor history, October 22, 2012:  It’s Labour Day in New Zealand.  The origins of Labour Day go back to the eight-hour day movement in that country that began in 1840 when carpenter Samuel Parnell refused to work a longer day.  “We have twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleeping, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which men do what little things they want for themselves,” Parnell said.  Fifty years later, the anniversary of the eight-hour day was commemorated with a parade and then celebrated annually thereafter.

Today in labor history, October 22, 2012:  It’s Labour Day in New Zealand.  The origins of Labour Day go back to the eight-hour day movement in that country that began in 1840 when carpenter Samuel Parnell refused to work a longer day.  “We have twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleeping, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which men do what little things they want for themselves,” Parnell said.  Fifty years later, the anniversary of the eight-hour day was commemorated with a parade and then celebrated annually thereafter.

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