In August of 1890, Kansas Governor Lyman U. Humphrey issued this proclamation officially recognizing Labor Day in Kansas as September 1st. He issued the proclamation at the request of the Topeka Trades and Labor Assembly and the Kansas State Federation of Labor. While Oregon is considered the first state to officially recognize the holiday, this proclamation was then, and is now, considered to be the first official recognition of Labor Day by any head of state and became an example that others states would soon follow. In the proclamation, Humphrey expressed an interest in improving the working conditions for laboring people and asked that business be suspended on Labor Day so that working people could enjoy the holiday.

Creator: Kansas. Governor (1889-1893 : Humphrey)
Date: August 13, 1890