No, Labor Day isn't in celebration of women who've gone through labor having a baby. The day is set aside, however, to honor our hard working citizens (and what of non-citizens who continue to cross our wide open borders) who '24-7' keep this country running in fairly good order, give or take a few incidences. But that's another story.
Now, with my habit of being a constant researcher of fact due to my years as a writer/reporter, I decided to pose this question as I did my late evening shopping on Wednesday when 24 hr markets deduct 5% off the tab for us senior citizens: "Can you tell me when we began the Labor Day Holiday?" None of the elderly could answer that question, nor could anyone in the market no matter their age or ethnicity. So I awoke early this morning to do some research on the net as I too haven't a clue of when this whole idea of honoring workers began.
Here's the scoop. The first recognized date of any significance appears to be September 5, 1881 in New York City where the Labor Union officially recognized the workers. The idea, which came before this date is attributed to one or another guy by the name of McGuire (there were two, perhaps brothers or cousins?) and evidently each one claimed the idea was theirs. Anyway, needless to say after a parade and a few speeches at least some New Yorkers were impressed enough to repeat the event the following year.
Slowly other states picked up the idea of having the first Monday of September as an annual event to honor the workers. But, wouldn't you know, it wasn't until more than a decade passed (and this sounds familiar) that Congress on June 28, 1894 passed an act making Labor Day a federal holiday. For awhile there were parades and speeches across the country but eventually no one was around to form a parade because they all went on holiday and the speeches only appeared in newspaper print.
For many years, Sunday was tied in to make it a two day holiday. Now, there are no parades, no speeches, hardly anyone remembers why we have the three day holiday. Instead of workers being let off to relax on Labor Day many put in even longer hours to accommodate the wealthy non-workers who fill the posh resorts. And, lets not forget the Labor Day sales at department stores and other retail establishments across the country.
Maybe Labor Day should become more of a day of mourning for those workers who no longer have a job what with the rising rate of unemployment? As for me, I'm staying home again this Labor Day weekend because it's not safe to be on the highway with all the traffic heading for resorts and camping. Why would you want to spend your holiday with thousands of people you don't even know? And as my late husband would say: "Why go anywhere when you're already there." Home can be a most relaxing place and if you love company invite your friends over for a Bar-b-q. And, take a moment to remember the workers who created the best this country has to offer and say a prayer for the workers who are 'out of work' and without a home in which to relax over this Labor Day.
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