Why Labor Day is about More than an Annual Three-day Weekend
Gain a better perspective of Labor Day so that you can appreciate and celebrate the accomplishments of those who made and continue to make work more meaningful.
What is Labor Day All About?
Many of us have wondered why we celebrate Labor Day but have not put much effort into finding out. Instead, Labor Day has been a traditional day off from school or work that some have accepted without question. The holiday's meaning is often interpreted differently. Still, all should know that it is a day to reflect on and honor workers past and present for their contributions to our society. Gain a better perspective of Labor Day so that you can appreciate and celebrate the accomplishments of those who made and continue to make work more meaningful.
Labor Day Explained
If someone asked you, "What is Labor Day?" Could you answer? It’s unlikely that many know anything about this national holiday other than that it is the first Monday in September, part of a three-day weekend, and the official end of summer. Contrary to popular belief, Labor Day is about more than the start of Fall, appliance, furniture, and mattress sales, and the beginning of the school year. Granted, the beach, cookouts, and other summer activities continue throughout Labor Day weekend. However, Labor Day still holds significance for older workers and retirees in labor unions. These unions have played a crucial role in shaping our work environment, a fact that we should all appreciate. It is also integral to our shared heritage as North Americans. It remains a day to reflect on the significant contributions and accomplishments of the working people and a time to appreciate their efforts and resilience. This reflection is a powerful way to express our gratitude and respect for the labor force that drives our economies and societies.
Labor Day Around the World
The holiday is not just a local tradition but a global celebration. It is observed in the United States, Canada, and other industrialized countries as a reminder of the universal value of labor and the working class. This global observance underscores the shared experiences and challenges of working people worldwide, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity that connects us all.
In Europe, China, and other countries, May Day, the first day of May, is a day of celebrations similar to North American Labor Day. The Communists of the Socialist Party, however, celebrated in honor of the working class on May 1st, a date known as May Day. Therefore, the first Monday in September was chosen in the United States to disassociate from any identification with Communism.
The Origins of Labor Day in the United States
Labor Day was established before the turn of the 20th century to honor working-class Americans and Canadians' hard work and dedication. Some confusion, however, may exist concerning the adoption of the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day celebration. As written above, the date was chosen to disassociate from any identification with Communism and the Socialist Labor Day on May 1st, which later became May Day. However, another theory suggests it was chosen because it is halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Understanding this historical context can provide a deeper appreciation of the significance of Labor Day.
A Historical Look at Labor Day
Our ancestors endured unimaginable struggles in the workplace before the average person could safely earn a decent wage without working 16-20 hours a day, six days a week. A union leader, Peter McGuire, is credited with pursuing a day set aside for workers to unite. Labor organizations lobbied state legislatures to observe Labor Day as an official state holiday, and the holiday was soon set aside to honor those workers. As the idea circulated in the United States, some states declared a holiday even before the first Monday in September was designated the national holiday. On September 5, 1882, the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Columbus held the inaugural Labor Day Parade in New York City when about 10,000 participants honored the contributions of New York working-class citizens. In 1884, the Knights organized a large parade on Monday, September 1, to celebrate the working class. The first Monday in September was chosen for the parade date, and the Knights decided to hold all future parades on that day. From then on, the Knights designated the first Monday in September as Labor Day.
In 1887, the first states declared Labor Day a state holiday: Oregon, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. In 1894, Congress passed a law designating Labor Day as an official national holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill to honor Labor Day despite his disdain for the unions. In fact, at the time he signed the bill, it is believed that he was attempting to repair damage to his political reputation that occurred when troops that he sent in to stop a strike sponsored by the Railway Workers Union led 34 workers to lose their lives.
Wrapping Up the Real Meaning of Labor Day
As you’ve read, Labor Day honors the North American Worker on the first Monday of September each year. It does so because of the tireless efforts of those who recognized a need to show appreciation for the past and present world-class labor force that makes North America great. It’s more than the start of football season and cooler days and nights. While enjoying a soccer match or a great book this upcoming Labor Day Monday, please keep the North American Worker in mind whose work product continuously improves and remains worthy of the celebration.