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Why 40 hours? The number 40 has special significance in both religious and labor traditions. The Hebrew scriptures speak of the 40 years in the wilderness and the 40 days of rain that preceded a new covenant with Noah, both transformative events. For Christians, the 40 days of Lent are a time of sacrifice, prayer and action rooted in Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert. The labor movement, after many years of sacrifice and struggle, gained a 40 hour work-week for most workers in the US.
Last Updated:01/30/2007 |
