Okla-homey
3/31/2007, 06:28 AM
Mar 31, 1840: Martin Van Buren enacts ten-hour day
http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/12900/2004620998212331231_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004620998212331231)
Marty Van Buren
167 years ago today, shortly after Martin Van Buren took over the Oval Office from his mentor, Andrew Jackson, the nation was plunged into a severe fiscal panic. During the ensuing depression, critics pointed to the dearth of legislation enacted to ease the plight of the "common man."
Despite these claims, Van Buren did make some attempts to aid workers and boost the sagging economy. Indeed, on this day in 1840, Van Buren declared that federal employees would only put in ten-hour days. Though later legislation would bump the Federal workday down to a more reasonable eight hours, Van Buren's apologists point to the ten-hour mandate as proof that he did in fact care for "average" Americans.
http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/12900/2004620998212331231_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004620998212331231)
Marty Van Buren
167 years ago today, shortly after Martin Van Buren took over the Oval Office from his mentor, Andrew Jackson, the nation was plunged into a severe fiscal panic. During the ensuing depression, critics pointed to the dearth of legislation enacted to ease the plight of the "common man."
Despite these claims, Van Buren did make some attempts to aid workers and boost the sagging economy. Indeed, on this day in 1840, Van Buren declared that federal employees would only put in ten-hour days. Though later legislation would bump the Federal workday down to a more reasonable eight hours, Van Buren's apologists point to the ten-hour mandate as proof that he did in fact care for "average" Americans.