Labor Day - An American Tradition Since 1894

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer because Labor Day is upon us and it has become known to many Americans as a time for celebrating that last long weekend of summer. The pool will be closing, schools will be back in session, another season has come and gone. The cooler days of fall will soon dominate the weather patterns.

Labor Day has not always evoked such sentiment about the passing of summer and the coming of fall. Though it is not exactly clear who is responsible for the idea of a Labor holiday the purpose was clear, Labor Day is intended as a day of recognition for the hard efforts of the American laborer. Pursued by union men, to honor the blue collar worker, the average working Joe or Josephine, the union man or woman, those workers "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur that we behold." Declared Peter J. McGuire co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, one of two men who it is commonly thought may have been responsible for the suggestion of a day off work. It is also possible that the suggestion may have been made by Matthew McGuire, while he served as secretary to the Central Labor Union of New York. One thing is sure, a McGuire must have needed a day off work, because the Central Labor Union prepared a committee to plan a demonstration and a picnic.

On Tuesday the 5^th of September in 1882 the first Labor Day was celebrated by the Central Labor Union in New York City. A year later on the same date they celebrated again. Must have felt pretty good the first time. As the third year rolled around the Central Labor Union solicited labor groups in other communities to participate and they changed the celebration date to the first Monday in September. Obviously realizing the satisfaction of having that long weekend.

The tradition was catching. While the New York state legislature was the first to propose a bill for the holiday, Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a law on February 21^st of 1887. Congress followed suit less than 10 years later passing the act that makes the first Monday in September, Labor Day. The act also gives suggestions on what activities Americans should participate in on this day. A street parade is encouraged that would exhibit the industry, trade and labor in the community. A festival for the entertainment of workers and their families is also suggested.

While the Labor Day idealism of the McGuire's was to honor the American worker, it seems rather ironic that the Americans who hold the retail jobs of the nation, do not usually get this day off from work. Labor Day Sale! The signs fill store windows across the country, the retailers cannot resist taking advantage of the extra shopping time the day affords the higher paid union and corporate workers.

Despite the fact that many people do have to work, Americans have embraced the day as a way to celebrate and commemorate the American worker. Backyard bar-b-ques, picnics, street parades and festivals, pool parties or a road trip to your swimming hole of choice. Americans continure the tradition of celebrating the last long weekend of summer, grateful for that extra day off work when it is offered.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Labor, online.