Q 01/05

Which 1938 law created the American right to a minimum wage?

A) The Taft-Hartley Act

B) The Wagner Act

C) The Social Security Act

D) The Fair Labor Standards Act

Answer · why

D) The Fair Labor Standards Act

It also introduced time-and-a-half overtime and banned oppressive child labour.

Q 02/05

After how many hours a week does that law require overtime pay?

A) Forty-eight

B) Thirty-five

C) Forty-four

D) Forty

Answer · why

D) Forty

The rate is time-and-a-half, and the same statute prohibits oppressive child labour.

Q 03/05

What federal minimum wage took effect in the US in July 2009?

A) $12.00 an hour

B) $7.25 an hour

C) $5.15 an hour

D) $9.50 an hour

Answer · why

B) $7.25 an hour

It was the last step of a 2007 law; states are free to set a higher rate, and many have, which is why the federal floor rarely bites.

Q 04/05

On which day is American Labor Day held?

A) The first of May

B) The first Monday of May

C) The first Monday of September

D) The last Friday of August

Answer · why

C) The first Monday of September

Canada marks its Labour Day on the same day; most other countries use 1 May.

Q 05/05

In which year did Labor Day become a federal holiday?

A) 1907

B) 1882

C) 1894

D) 1938

Answer · why

C) 1894

By then thirty states were already marking it officially.