What ever happened to the Labor in Labor Day?
Labor Day became an official U.S. holiday when President Grover Cleveland signed the bill passed by Congress into law on June 28, 1894. Peter J. McQuire, founder of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of New York City back in 1882, initially conceived the day. The first day of September was chosen because it fell midway between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving. In the early twenty-first century, Labor Day parades, rallies, festivals, and speeches were still organized by labor unions across the country and often supported by political leaders. Because of the shrinking popular base of traditional labor unions, however, most Americans tended to regard the day merely as the finale of a long summer of fun in which hot dogs, barbecues, and picnics reigned. For many of us it’s the harbinger of colder weather and shorter days. Just another reminder that the fun and joy of hot summer days is now at an end. I’m not sure you can find an annual Labor Day parade in the U.S. any longer, but it should remain a day to celebrate the work that those of us still perform. Whether you are paid to do something or are a primary caregiver at home. Celebrate this day as you normally would, but keep in mind that this day was paid for with a lot of blood, sweat and tears from past labor movements.
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