We just celebrated Labor Day this past Monday, September 2nd. This is a Federal holiday in the U.S. and is always on thew first Monday of September. It was honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of labor to the development and achievements of the United States.
Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the U.S. officially celebrated Labor Day.
What makes me question, why does it seem there are many businesses open on Labor Day and how many Americans really remember what the holiday meant, except as the unofficial end to summer. That it only means a last-ditch effort to grill burgers, hot dogs and barbecue, watch football games on TV, and kids to play, and not a day of remembrance for hard workers.
But now that it is over and the kids are in school, people at work, and fall in our mind, I hope people will think about those laborers who worked to make this a holiday to celebrate hard work.
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