Monday, September 3, 2007

Labor Day, A Day To Reflect

According to Wikipedia, Labor Day began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a federal holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.[1]

What does it mean to you/us today?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

To me, it is a testament to those who fought against exploitation and unsafe working conditions. It's beating back the specter of child labor and the unnecessary deaths caused by greedy corporate masters. It brave men and women striving for dignity and respect. It is those who looked a President in the face and demanded the compensation they deserved. It is a struggle that continues today as multi-nationals ship our jobs overseas and expect up to pay for it. It is the fight for health care for all. It is workers continuing to be devalued by their employers struggling for economic mobility in an America that is becoming for stratified. The struggle continues....
Viva la causa.

Anonymous said...

and the U-T thinks:

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. By 1893, more than half of the states were observing a “Labor Day,” and Congress established a federal holiday in 1894.

Yes, the U-T thinks 10,000 workers just came together to walk in some kind of parade.