In honor of Labor Day we take a look at Brooklynites of the past hard at work in the borough. From children participating in family labor in the 19th century to 20th century war production, the vintage images depict the realities of making a living in the city.

brooklyn photo labor work
Photo by Bain News Service via Library of Congress

Workers at a flag factory at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1917.

brooklyn photo work labor day
Photo by Lewis Hine via Library of Congress

The entire Farrell family participated in the work of making brushes from their home at 151 11th Street in Gowanus in 1912.

brooklyn photo work labor day
Photo by Fritz Henle via Library of Congress

A young man trains for work in a machine shop as part of a National Youth Administration work center in Brooklyn in 1942.

brooklyn photo labor work war
Photo by Ann Rosener via Library of Congress

Eunice Kimball picks up her work uniform at the Brooklyn Bendix Aviation Plant in 1943.

brooklyn photo labor day work longshoremen
Photo by Matthew Black via Library of Congress

Longshoremen load cargo at the Port Authority Piers on Furman Street in 1967.

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