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ThuApr 18

Linemen Appreciation Day – April 18, 2024

Lineman Appreciation Day is observed on April 18 every year. This day honors the hard work that women and men put in to keep the power on. These people work around the clock to provide light to family households and any other premises. Lineworkers are truly dedicated since they have to climb hundreds of feet above the ground with precarious harnesses. They also handle live wires that, if improperly handled, can easily lead to them losing their lives in massive jolts of electricity while simultaneously blacking out entire sections of the city. National Lineman Appreciation Day honors those men and women who put their lives at risk to keep the power running through our communities.

History of Linemen 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.

Linemen Appreciation Day timeline

1700s
Electricity is Discovered

Benjamin Franklin is said to be the inventor of electricity.

1878
Electricity Reaches London´s Streets

The first electric street lights are set up.

1920s
Television is Invented

John Logie Baird invents the television.

2013
National Lineman Appreciation Day is Established

National Lineman Appreciation Day is established by Congress aiming to “recognize linemen, the profession of linemen, and contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety.”

Linemen Appreciation Day FAQs

What are linemen called?

Electrical linemen are also called lineworkers, line installers and repairers, and power line technicians.

What percentage of men are linemen?

89.8% of lineworkers are men.

How many utility poles are there in the U.S.?

There are approximately 180 million utility poles around the United States today.

Linemen Appreciation Day Activities

  1. Use the hashtag #thankalineman

    By using this hashtag, you can spread awareness about the dangerous job that lineworkers carry out. Their job is not only dangerous but important as they provide electricity to our homes and businesses.

  2. Thank these heores

    Be sure to stop and thank these amazing and brave people. You can find them working along the roadside or in your community.

  3. Look up information about this important job

    You can search for information about all the tasks that a lineworker performs. You can also read the biography of the first lineman in the U.S., Ezra Cornell.

5 Functions And Characteristics Of Linemen

  1. Communication

    Lineworkers communicate with customers to solve power problems and meet electric utility needs.

  2. Physical

    Lineworkers work to determine and assure adherence to prescribed operating and safety standards.

  3. Mental work

    Lineworkers read and interpret construction plans and schematics related to the installation of electrical power distribution lines.

  4. Knowledge

    A lineworker must have complete knowledge of the methods, techniques, materials, and equipment of the electrical trade, and the basic laws and regulations governing electrical work.

  5. Ability

    Lineworkers must know how to use the safety procedures and equipment associated with working on high-voltage electrical lines and equipment.

Why We Love Linemen Appreciation Day

  1. Lineworkers are important

    Men and women who work with electricity are vital. They are in charge of providing electricity and light to houses and businesses.

  2. Lineworkers work hard

    These people work under extreme conditions. They work during storms or when natural calamities destroy the electrical infrastructure.

  3. Electricity is essential

    Electricity is an essential part of modern life and important to the world´s economy. People use electricity for lighting, heating, and cooling and for operating electrical appliances, computers, machinery, and public transport.

Linemen Appreciation Day dates

YearDateDay
2024April 18Thursday
2025April 18Friday
2026April 18Saturday
2027April 18Sunday
2028April 18Tuesday

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