The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country. http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htmIt's a day to celebrate the American worker. A rare 3 day weekend for many laborers around the country. A chance to see the day from outside your cubicle. But how many people now wish they were working this Monday? How many people would give up every holiday for the rest of their lives just for chance to actually work?
Labor Day this year isn't a celebration so much as a smack in the face. A reminder of what we've lost more than what we've gained.
I propose a new holiday. Unemployment Day. At least one day out of the year where we actually take unemployment seriously.
Condolences to all those looking for work. Happy Monday.
Thank you for that, my friend! I was not feeling the love today, as a matter of fact.... and this was a great post to come across for me. Much appreciated! Hope lots of folks see it, both employed and unemployed! Thanks again!
ReplyDeletedude seriously, your heart is showing. you might want to cover that thing up before people realize just what a good person you are.
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