Not every holiday’s lucky enough to have a classic pop song attached to it. But that’s exactly how things turned out for Lineman Appreciation Day.
“I am a lineman for the county
And I drive the main road
Searchin’ in the sun for another overload…”
Jimmy Webb wrote “Wichita Lineman” in 1968 and Glen Campbell recorded it later that year. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked it at number 195 on a list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
More on that later.
Linemen (and women) work on power or phone lines — keeping the current flowing to our homes and businesses. It’s a dangerous job. After 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, the 113th Congress passed a bill designating April 18 as National Lineman Appreciation Day.
The bill became law in 2013.
History of Lineman Appreciation Day
Benjamin Franklin is said to be the discoverer of electricity in the 1700s with his famous kite experiment, in which he flew a kite with a metal key tied to it during a thunderstorm. In the late 19th century, electricity was first introduced into people’s homes. It was in London that the world’s first electric street lights were set up in 1878.
The truth is that lineworkers have existed for as long as electricity has been a standard part of modern living. It is impossible to have power lines carrying electricity to our homes and businesses without them. They keep the lights on and the furnaces going.
Lineworkers often do their jobs in the most dangerous of conditions and have to face the worst weather conditions. However, bad weather is not the only danger in their career. The most dangerous task they must do every day is handling wires that pulse thousands of amps of current. These are the people in charge of restoring power, setting up emergency systems to carry us through, and putting life back in order when things get tough. In the U.S., there are 115,000 lineworkers, which puts more into perspective the fact that 67,000 of them responded to Superstorm Sandy.
Lineman Appreciation Day timeline
The introduction of telegraph lines on trees and poles for long-distance communication created the need for linemen.
Labor organizations eventually formed to represent the workers and advocate for their safety.
They traveled from city to city, making a good living and returning home between jobs.
Songwriter Jimmy Webb noticed a solitary lineman atop a pole while driving through southwestern Oklahoma, recalling it later as "the picture of loneliness."
Alan Drew's book "The American Lineman: Honoring the Evolution and Importance of One of the Nation's Toughest, Most Admired Professions" has over 500 photos and illustrations.
Lineman Appreciation Day Activities
Say you appreciate them
Maybe you can spot one working in your neighborhood, or send your power company a note when they come through for you.
#thankalineman
Post on social media with this hashtag to encourage others to appreciate and recognize the important job that linemen do.
Donate to a fallen lineman
Nonprofits seek assistance for injured linemen and their families. Help out on this day.
5 Powerful Facts About Linemen (and Women)
Safety first
All linemen wear personal protective equipment that includes rubber gloves, rubber sleeves, flame-resistant clothing, and bucket liners.
"The Kiss of Life"
Rocco Morabito's famous 1967 photo captured a lineman giving an unconscious lineman mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while in a harness on a pole. The unconscious lineman survived and the picture became famous.
They receive good training
A lineworker apprentice takes part in a four-year training program before becoming a "Journey Lineworker."
The storm that kept lineman busy
Over 67,000 lineman responded to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
All American
There are approximately 115,000 linemen in the U.S.
Why We Love Lineman Appreciation Day
They keep the power running
Think about going without power for just one day. Linemen work behind (or, actually above) the scene so we can keep our lives moving.
A risky occupation
Dealing with high voltage electrical wires at great heights is dangerous. Linemen are brave enough to get the job done.
They give up family time for us
They work tirelessly, often during odd hours, away from their families to address electrical problems.
Lineman Appreciation Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 18 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April 18 | Sunday |
| 2028 | April 18 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | April 18 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | April 18 | Thursday |
