Labor Day - What is it?

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on a Tuesday in 1882 – a couple of years later it was moved to the first Monday in September. Initially, Labor Day was a protest about dismal factory working conditions – 12 hour days and 7 days a week – just to mention a few. The early Labor Day celebrations/demonstrations did finally spark some Congressional debate on worker’s rights and in 1894 Congress passed the bill that made Labor Day a national holiday.

While Labor Day was intended to celebrate the accomplishment and productivity of the American workforce, it’s now mostly a marker for the end of summer and the start of school. However, considering the high unemployment rates and current economic conditions, this year’s Labor Day might truly be a celebration for those who do have jobs. And maybe, a time to remember the many families who are struggling to hold things together until the labor market improves – they won’t have much to celebrate today.

A. Reader

Editor's note: This is a slightly updated repost from last year. Not updated is the part about our current economic conditions. It seems that nothing has changed, except possibly for the worst.