The 8-hour-day movement

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Who

Samuel Gompers, labor leader born to a Dutch-Jewish family in London and founder of the American Federation of Labor, a central figure in the U.S. eight-hour-day campaign. (The earlier slogan traces to the non-Jewish reformer Robert Owen.)

When

1880s–1886

Where

United States

The eight-hour workday became a global labor goal in the late 19th century; in the United States the American Federation of Labor, led by Samuel Gompers, set May 1, 1886 as its target date. Gompers was born in London to a Dutch-Jewish family. The slogan 'eight hours for work' had earlier roots in the ideas of Robert Owen.

Sources

Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.