Labor Day was a holiday that originated from the Labor Unions to honor and exhibit the American spirit by having a day of rest for its hard-working people.
Today, Labor Day traditionally, marks the end of summer. Many families take the opportunity to take a vacation before the school year really kicks in. Also popular are BBQ’s, football games and lots of big sales at retail stores.
Here are some other interesting facts about the holiday.
- The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in Boston; however it was not a recognized legal holiday for many years.
- It is uncertain who originated the idea for Labor Day – Pete McGuire general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners or Matthew Maguire, Secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinist in Paterson, NJ
- In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the day to observe Labor Day each year.
- The first state to pass the law to observe Labor Day was Oregon on February 21, 1887.
- Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York also passed it as a law in 1887.
- On June 28th, 1894, Congress passed an act making it a legal holiday.
