By TR Robertson
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the American labor movement and the work and contributions of laborers. It is always the first Monday in September; this year, September 7th , and the Saturday before is the beginning of the Labor Day Weekend. Not only does it mark the unofficial end of summer, but there was a time it marked the three-day weekend before the start of most schools’ new year in the United States. Today, schools start earlier and earlier in August. Public School Districts, Governmental agencies, banks, the stock market, and some businesses will be closed on Labor Day.
In the late 19th century, trade unions and labor movements were growing. Trade unionists proposed setting aside a day to celebrate labor. The idea of “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor. This group organized the first Labor Day Parade in New York City in 1882. Some credit P.J. McGuire, Vice President of the American Federation of Labor as the Father of Labor Day in the U.S. He had proposed, in 1882, a “general holiday for the laboring classes”. Oregon, in 1887, was the first state to make Labor Day an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday, in 1894, thirty states were already celebrating Labor Day. After 1930, all states, the District of Columbia and American territories have made Labor Day a statutory holiday.
Canada also celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday in September. There are more than 80 countries in the world that celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1st. The United States has designated May 1st as Loyalty Day and Law Day, neither of which is a federal holiday.
Traditionally, Labor Day is also called “the unofficial end of summer”.
Many school districts used to resume classes after their summer break after Labor Day weekend. This is no longer the case. Some districts in the Midwest still begin school after Labor Day weekend. Virginia’s amusement park industry once lobbied to have schools begin after Labor Day weekend so families could take advantage of the final long weekend to visit the parks. This statute passed but was repealed in 2019. Many fall high school sports began after Labor Day weekend. This tradition has gone by, too.
An unusual Labor Day fashion tradition is that this day is considered the last day when it is acceptable to wear white or seersuckers. Other events normally held that weekend include the Labor Day Carnival in New York, fireworks over Coney Island, and the Labor Day concert at the U.S. Capitol, put on by the National Symphony Orchestra. In Downtown Historic Vista, the annual Rod Run will be held on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.
One thing many look forward to is the annual Labor Day Weekend sales and discounts advertised by numerous retailers. Some say this weekend sales event has traditionally been one of the largest sales dates of the year, second only to the Christmas season’s Black Friday. Television, newspapers, and the internet will be full of advertisements for a wide variety of Labor Day sales.
For those of you taking advantage of Labor Day – Stay Safe and enjoy the weekend. Enjoy the barbeques and don’t forget your sunscreen.
