Labor Day, Workingman's Holiday
Labor Day
Date When Celebrated: This holiday is always observed on the first Monday in September.
Labor Day honors and celebrates the work and accomplishments of the American worker. It is also appropriately called the “Workingman’s Holiday”. The holiday offers respect and appreciation for the work you do in or outside of the home, union or non-union, big company, small company, or government. As long as you work somewhere doing some job of any kind, this holiday is for you!
The first Labor Day was held and celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882. The Central Labor Union in New York City started Labor Day. In 1884, it was moved to the first Monday in September. Labor Day quickly became popular and one state after another voted for it as a holiday. On June 28, 1894, the U.S. congress voted it a national holiday.
Labor Day is also viewed as the official end of summer. Summer’s heat has already begun to wane. We have a couple of hours less sunlight than we did at the start of summer. While the Fall Equinox is still a few weeks away, kids go back to school, and summer vacations are over.
Canada, The United States, and Bermuda are the only countries to celebrate Labor Day in September. All other countries hold a holiday in honor of workers in May. It’s called May Day.
Labor Day tradition: Union-sponsored parades are common. Many people celebrate this weekend with one last picnic. It is also the date that many people close up the pool, and put away the boats.
Labor Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are some fun trivia and fun facts:
- This holiday began as a celebration and recognition of union workers. It quickly expanded to all workers.
- Labor Day signifies the end of the summer season.
- The holiday is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year for both automobile and air travel.
- This holiday celebrates everyone who has a job. This includes blue collar and white and all workers in all kinds of jobs.
- In 1882, New York City held the first Labor Day parade.
- On June 28, 1894, then President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making Labor Day an official federal holiday.
- Picnics and fireworks commonly follow the parade.
- Union workers most often are paid more than non-union members. But, remember they pay union dues.
- In 1887, Oregon was the first state to recognize a Labor Day holiday.
- Aside from the United States, Canada is the only other country to celebrate workers in September. Other countries in the world celebrate workers on May Day.
- The American Labor Museum is located in Haldon, New Jersey.
- Despite old-style traditions, you can wear white after Labor Day.
- No country in the world currently have a four-day workweek…. yet.
- The U.S. Department of Labor was founded on March 4, 1913.
- Labor Day is sometimes called the “Workingman’s holiday.
Today's Quote
“The end of labor is to gain leisure.” – – Aristotle
History and Origin of Labor Day
Was it McGuire or Maguire? Either Peter McGuire or Matthew Maguire is the creator of Labor Day. Peter J. McGuire, was an active labor organizer. He was also general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. He was the first to suggest a day dedicated to American workers and their accomplishments. The idea immediately became popular. Matthew Maguire however, was secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York in 1882 and many believed that he proposed the holiday in 1882.
Labor Day Traditions
One highlight of the Workingman’s holiday is a paid day off of work. And, there are many union-sponsored parades. Obviously, many people celebrate this weekend with one last picnic. It is also the date that many people close up the pool and put away the boats.
Related Holidays
People who like Labor Day will also like:
Fun at Work Day -If you’ve gotta go to work, you might as well have fun while you’re there.
Public Sleeping Day – It’s the perfect day for those who like to sleep on the job.
More About Today
What happened on this Day? This Day in History
Recipe of the Day: Roasted Sunflower Seeds
Plant of the Day: Miniature Pumpkins
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