For most, Labor Day is simply a day off from work. Here in South Florida it's one more 3 day weekend that usually means BBQ and beach day, but its also the last one of the summer. School is back in and football season is upon us. All of things are things that I associate with Labor, but what are the roots of this "day off."
The first Labor Day was celebrated in NY in 1882, and became a federal holiday in 1894. This happened, "when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority."* They then made it a National holiday out of fear of further conflict. The image is the first Labor Day parade in 1882.
We should always seek to find the roots of our holidays, especially ones that seem to be as obscure as this one (or at least it was obscure to me).
Either way, enjoy your holiday, and let me know what Labor Day represents to you!
*Source Wikipedia
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