Today the U.S. celebrates Labor Day as a national holiday. For many of us, it used to mark the end of summer and the day before the first day of school. But with many schools starting the year in August, that has been lost.
I suspect few don’t know what Labor Day represents other than just a day to go shopping or simply a day off work.
I found some material on the official US Department of Labor page that unveils the history of the holiday.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in September 1882 in New York City. Within 12 years, 23 other states had followed suit. So, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
The holiday was “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
Enjoy this short. three-minute video from the History Channel (from 2010) while you lay around the backyard.
Fun Fridays – August 30, 2019
Noticing the trick in the last sentence, I can safely say that part of the day I will lie around, but then I will necessarily lay about the back yard, which needs attack from multiple angles. A good break day, Steve, to you and your coworkers. Thanks for the video.
Good reminder, Steve! Of course, the only thing I did in the backyard yesterday was work, but that’s okay 😉