Origins of Labor Day

Today was a day that many of us enjoyed because we didn't have to go in to our regular job. It is now a day of rest for many and a signal of the end of summer for others. How many of you actually remember learning about the origins of Labor Day? I had some inkling, learned about it in grade school, but thought a refresher course may be in the cards. The cool things about Memorial Day and Labor Day for me was that one was the last Monday of the month, and the other was the first Monday of the month. There was a symmetry about that which I always appreciated.

I always remember that the summer is bracketed by two holidays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. As a kid, I would occasionally get the two holidays mixed up because they both represented something about summer and school. School would end shortly after Memorial Day and start up again right after Labor Day. Now with different schools taking different holidays, and some schools essentially year-round schools, Labor Day does not quite mean the same thing anymore. No more end to those long relaxing summer days. No more vacations... time to get ready for school and start thinking about cold weather. I am not even sure if the school systems teach the origins of Labor Day anymore, so here is a brief history lesson.

In the late 1800's working conditions were not very hospitable. There were more often than not extremely long hours, low pay and uncertain jobs. Children worked alongside their parents and there was no sick pay allowed. People were afraid to stay home sick for fear that they would be replaced by others eagerly looking for work. Essentially it was an employers market, and many of the employers took advantage of the workers. In time, a man named Peter McGuire, son of an Irish immigrant, got tired of the long hours, poor work conditions and started learning about economic and social issues of his day. There was talk of organizing workers in order to pressure the managers to improve working conditions and shorten work hours.

In time, organizing workers according to their trade spread across the country and those organized groups became the labor unions that we know now. These organized blocks of workers were better able to negotiate improved work environments and shorter work hours for decent pay. The unions were also able to make the jobs the workers had more secure, including being allowed sick time. Peter McGuire decided that a planned holiday for organized workers would be a good idea. They chose early September (about half way between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day) as appropriate for an annual holiday. On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City to commemorate the first planned holiday for the workers. In 1884 it was decided that the first Monday in September would be the official holiday. Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

So, now you have had a brief history lesson on the origins of Labor Day. Many people look forward to Labor Day because most businesses are closed and it becomes a last tie to enjoy the remaining summer weather without having to take additional time off of work. Some of us are perhaps more blessed, we do not have a Labor Day observance because we are self-employed. We can take the time off and do nothing, or choose to work, at our discretion. If you are interested in learning how you can earn an additional income or ultimately become self employed, please feel free to contact us through e-mail or check out our website for some income earning ideas.

Until tomorrow...