October 24 - Eight Hours for Work, Eight Hours for Rest, Eight Hours for What We Will!

Labor History in 2:00 · Oct 24, 2026 · 1m

On this day in Labor History the year was 1940.

That was the day that the federally mandated 40-hour work week went into effect for U.S. workers.

The 40-hour week had been passed as part of Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938.

Making five days of eight hour work the national standard had long been a top goal for labor.

For decades’ union members organized, demonstrated, when on strike, and even died for the right to work eight hours.

Labor argued that reducing the long, unregulated hours of toil was a matter of worker’s health and safety.

It was also a matter of dignity.

A more reasonable work…