We hope you are soaking up the last bit of summer, perhaps with a cold beverage in hand, surrounded by loved ones. Most of us are eagerly await these well-deserved days off, complete with barbecues, parades, and maybe even some fireworks. But while we're all for a good party, let's not forget the real reason behind this holiday: Labor Day is a time to honor and celebrate the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the country. So, while you’re flipping burgers or enjoying that final dip in the pool, take a moment to remember the hard work and dedication of millions of workers that this holiday represents.

The Origins of Labor Day

Believe it or not, Labor Day has been around for over a century! It all started in the late 1800s, a time when the average American worked 12-hour days, seven days a week just to make a basic living. Even kids as young as 5 or 6 were working in mills, factories, and mines across the country. Workers of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities, and breaks.

As you can imagine, people were not too thrilled about this, and labor unions began to grow more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. One of these rallies, the first Labor Day parade, took place on September 5, 1882, in New York City. Around 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square.

FUN FACT:

Although the New York parade was the first event to be called "Labor Day," there are disputes over who actually came up with the idea for the holiday. Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to suggest a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." However, others believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not McGuire, founded the holiday. The debate still goes on today.

Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/

Labor Day Becomes Official

After that initial parade in New York, the idea of a "workingmen's holiday" caught on in other industrial centers across the country. Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a public holiday in 1887, and by 1894, 30 states officially celebrated Labor Day. That year, following a particularly violent railway strike, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a national holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. It's interesting to note that Cleveland signed the act into law just six days after the end of the railway strike, perhaps in an attempt to appease the nation's workers.

Little Known Facts

Now, let’s dive into some lesser-known facts about this widely celebrated holiday:

1. No White After Labor Day: Have you ever heard the old adage, "Don't wear white after Labor Day?" This saying goes back to the late Victorian era, where it was a fashion faux pas to wear white outside of the summer months. White was considered a color for vacation and leisure wear, and once the summer ended, the darker, more formal colors of daily work life were more appropriate.

2. End of Hot Dog Season: According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that’s a real thing), Labor Day marks the end of "hot dog season," which begins on Memorial Day. Americans typically consume about 7 billion hot dogs during this time. That's a lot of dogs!

3. Labor Day Sales: Labor Day weekend is known for its epic sales. In fact, it’s one of the biggest shopping days of the year, right up there with Black Friday. Whether you need new clothes, appliances, or a car, this is a good time to snag a deal.

So, as you enjoy your day off, whether it’s at a barbecue, a parade, or a shopping spree, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and the contributions of workers past and present. Without the labor movement and the brave souls who fought for better working conditions, who knows where we’d be today?

Happy Labor Day! Here’s to hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of happiness.