This deep dive into The Origin of the Work Week traces how human societies across history structured time for labor and rest. From ancient Mesopotamian lunar cycles to the rise of the Christian Sunday and Islamic Friday observances, the document explores how religion, empire, and culture shaped early timekeeping. As industrialization introduced grueling schedules, workers pushed back, inspiring reforms like the eight-hour day and eventually the five-day week. Through fascinating comparisons across cultures and centuries, the piece shows how today's standard workweek is a patchwork legacy of ancient rituals, medieval customs, and modern activism.
