Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day

No man is born into the world whose work Is not born with him; There is always work, — and tools to work withal, For those who will; and blessed be the horny hands of toil. — JR Lowell

Labor Day, the first Monday of September, is a federal holiday created to honor the working class.  To many of us, Labor Day is the symbolic end of the summer, and we plan celebrations in the form of picnics, barbecues, pool parties, getaway weekend travel, and other entertainments. Some of us shop since Labor Day is also a day of sales; hence, it is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.  Ironically, though, while today's stores will be mobbed, in days  of old, when Labor Day still retained its original meaning, that of a day to honor the working person, all businesses would be closed.  Amazing how times change.  How many of you can remember those days?  I can. 

The first Labor Day celebration was on September 5th, 1882, in New York city as a means to show respect for the American worker; it was adopted by the Central Labor Union. The working mans holiday was celebrated by a picnic and a parade. A year later on September the 5th the second labor day was held, thus starting a tradition.  Times have changed, although there are not a lot of parades as there once was or a lot of community celebrations, we still have our own celebrations.  We can still remember.
  
Wishing you all a wonderful day.

4 comments:

  1. Labour Day was created in September so North American workers would not celebrate on May Day, the traditional day of protest associated with communism and socialism.

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  2. Hey Debra.....who knew? Mary......hope you had a wonderful holiday and are rested and relaxed to begin your week.

    xo

    Jo

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  3. Our stores were closed today. I went shopping yesterday and it was a zoo at the mall. But on a rainy sunday, of course!!
    Have a great week.

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  4. All too soon...this Season will be over. :0(
    I hardly knew ye!

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