Did you know that the first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on September 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary? By 1893, more than half the states were observing “Labor Day,” and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. Thanks to the U.S. Census for this information and the statistics that follow.
How are you celebrating this holiday? I have had the opportunity to go shopping to take advantage of some fabulous sales, along with visiting family and friends I haven’t seen in awhile. I had a “Wicked” good time seeing that musical too! And what’s on the menu for dinner tonight? Grilled steak! It is such an appropriate Labor Day entree, don’t you think? Enjoy the following statistics and your Labor Day.
153.2 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in July 2011.
84.7%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2009.
Americans work in various occupations. Below is a sample:
Teachers (preschool – grade 12): 3,039,523
Computer Operators: 101,889
Actors: 10,980
Telephone Operators: 32,394
Bus Drivers: 265,429
Bakers: 117,405
Telemarketers: 55,733
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists: 395,503
Janitors and building cleaners: 1,478,204
26.2 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in management, professional and related occupations. Among male workers, 16 and older, 24.0 million were employed in management, professional and related occupations.
53%
Projected percentage growth from 2008 to 2018 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (581,500).
76.1%
Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 10.0 percent carpool and 5.0 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).
25.1 minutes
The average time it takes people in the nation to commute to work. New York and Maryland had the most time-consuming commutes, averaging 31.4 and 31.3 minutes.
3.2 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day.
SensitiveEconomist 