Labor Day, today, Monday September 7, 2015

United States Department of Labor, "Labor Day."

Celebrating all of us, our jobs, what we do!

Monday, September 7, 2015

"What it means.  Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Legislation. Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories."  Read more.

Related - Time and Date/Holiday/Labor Day, "Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations' strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events."  Tech feast blog/Harshil Barot (Ahmedabad, India), 9/3/15, "Happy Labour Day 2015..." .... "Labour Day 2015 In the United States is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of the workers. Labour Day 2015 has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. For many countries, 2015 Labour Day is synonymous with, or linked with, International Worker’s Day, It is celebrated on the first Monday of September and considered the official end of the summer holiday for most of the respective countries, as public school and university students return to school that week or the following week."     Note graphics. Flag from Tucson Jewish Community Center; people from Tech feast.

Posted by Kathy Meeh