Labor Day!

Today is Labor Day! What are you doing...at this very moment? Slaving away doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking, sewing, mowing the grass, working, working, working? Well, why not? The day IS all about LABOR! 

Of course, that is totally the wrong perspective! Labor Day is a celebration...a holiday...a day of festivities and it is today!

More than a day of rest, a backyard barbeque, a three-day weekend or the unofficial end of summer today has a larger meaning. A step back into the past provides footprints of history leading to the freedom of celebration honoring honest toil and the rights of labor. 

Embrace the Past. . .

September 5, 1882, one hundred thirty-one years ago, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York City. Why the celebration? 

On Labor Day rests celebration of the contributions of the working class, attainment of a safe working environment and fair wages/benefits. Click HERE for the History of Labor Day!

The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882.

Labor Day Parade Wagon 1904

A float for the Women’s Auxiliary Typographical Union in the 

1909 New York City Labor Day parade.

Labor Day Parade New York City 1942

Children Marching in Labor Day Parade New York City 1963

Empower the Present. . .

Labor Day now carries less significance as a celebration of the working people and has become more about one last cookout or trip to the beach before weather turns cooler. However, it is part of our past and what makes America strong. Schools will be closed today but hopefully prior to the weekend break lessons were taught and learned that made this celebrated day possible as a national holiday. 

Various government officials, merchants and farmers take this day as a day away from the daily routines of toil and labor. Many, on the other hand, keep businesses thriving as doors open in compliance with advertisements of Sale! Sale! Sale! Hopefully, each of these businesses will honor the true meaning of the day with the flying or display of the American flag. 

Enrich the Future. . . 

On this Labor Day, take a moment to remember and reflect upon those who came before you toiling and laboring in harsh environments with little wages as compensation and without benefits enjoyed today. Inspire and support younger generations in their quest for justice in future employment and ultimately retirement.