Brief History

The United States recognizes and honors millions of freelancers, self-employed people, small business owners, contractors, and others. The term "freelance" was first used by Sir Walter Scott in 1820 to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior" who was not bound to any lord. The word first appeared in Thomas N. Brown's book The Life and Times of Hugh Miller in 1809. In 1860, it became a figurative noun and the Oxford English Dictionary recognized it as a verb in 1903.

In the United States, independent workers come from different age groups and have various skills with different income levels. They all have a strong desire to be self-sufficient and form a powerful economic group that generates trillions of dollars for the US economy. It is a robust, growing, and evolving segment.

In 2019, Independent Worker's Day was established by iPSE-U.S., a non-profit organization based in the UK. It was founded in 1999 as Professional Contractors Group (PCG) to protest the IR35 tax law and later became the representative group for freelancers in the UK. In September 2014, PCG changed its name to iPSE and broadened its scope to include all four million freelance and self-employed workers.

How to celebrate

There are many ways to celebrate National Independent Worker Day. You can:

1. Donate to organizations that support independent workers, such as labor unions, advocacy groups, or coworking spaces.
2. Share stories of independent workers on social media using the hashtag #NationalIndependentWorkerDay.
3. Attend events or workshops focused on entrepreneurship, freelancing, or other independent work.
4. Reflect on your own experiences as an independent worker and consider how you can support others in the community.

National Day for Independent Workers

Interesting facts

• In the United States, there are over [number] million independent workers, representing a significant portion of the workforce.
• Independent workers often face unique challenges, such as self-employment taxes, lack of benefits, and fluctuating income.
• Many independent workers rely on online platforms and marketplaces to find work and connect with clients.
• National Independent Worker Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of these challenges and advocate for policies that support independent workers.
• Independent workers often have a strong sense of entrepreneurship and self-reliance, which can lead to innovation and economic growth.