Grover Cleveland had a problem.

As the dust in the air reflected the newly installed electric light bulbs above him,

the mustachioed president from New Jersey, now in his second turn, sat at his desk with Senate Bill 7.30 before him,

wondering how this had all happened so quickly.

In the late 1800s, it wasn't uncommon for the average American to work 10 to 12 hours, seven days a week.

With the boom of the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of the American Railroad,

and the advance of technology, labor was in high demand, and there was a never-ending need

for more work as the Western world grew in its creativity and consumption. In response to

the increasing burdens placed on the common citizen,

labor unions advocated for workers' rights,

finding themselves in direct opposition to the men who owned and operated these burgeoning empires.

Men like George Pullman.

During the economic panic of 1893, Pullman had cut the wages of his workers in astounding 30%,

while refusing to lower the cost of the apartments he demanded they live in.

In May of 1894, the Pullman workers walked out, setting off a cascade of railroad strikes across

the country and effectively halting commerce throughout 27 states. Day after day, rail cars sat still,

and day after day, tensions rose in the heat of early summer.

It was here, in the middle of this unrest and heightened tension,

that President Grover Cleveland sought to offer some conciliatory reparation.

By signing Senate Bill 730 and dubbing the first Monday in September as a respite from any form of professional work,

he hoped that establishing a holiday meant to celebrate the work ethic and spirit of the American people

would stall any impending violence. So, on June 28, 1894, President Cleveland signed into law the creation

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