Just a dreamer here to tell of her life, love, fantasies and her pursuit of happiness or anything else that interests her.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

The History of Labor Day

When my 12 year old son asked me earlier in the day "What exactly is Labor Day"? I wasn't completly happy with the answer I had for him so took it upon myself to do a bit of google search to find out exactly how it came about and what it means. I know... I should remember this from school, so spank me! ;o) Of course two weeks into the the new school year, the boys are just happy to get a day out of school. And if you must know... It's true that mom is more excited about school starting back than they are.

Anyways, I just thought I'd share it with you what I learned about Labor Day.

Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

So... It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

To all of my wonderful, hardworking friends here and there that I've come to know and Love.....Take care and have fantastic, laid back and safe Labor Day weekend! You deserve it. :o)


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