Labor Day – Fun Facts!

Every year American’s celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September, but what are we actually celebrating? Here are some fun facts you may not know about this end-of-summer holiday!

  1. Labor Day is an annual celebration of workers and their achievements and was originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters.
  2. During the 19th century, Americans worked 12-hour days seven days a week?
  3. The idea of Labor Day first became public in 1882, when the unions of New York City decided to have a parade to celebrate their members being in unions. At least 20,000 people were there, but the workers had to give up a day’s pay to attend. It’s known that there was a lot of beer involved in the event.
  4. Although the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified, two people with similar names are credited with the first New York City event. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.
  5. The New York parade inspired other unions, and other regions started having parades. By 1887, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Colorado made Labor Day a State holiday.
  6. In the wake of massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day (the first Monday in September) a legal holiday. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law.
  7. The holiday has evolved over the years. In the late 19th century, celebrations focused on parades in urban areas. Now the holiday is a celebration that honors organized labor with fewer parades and more activities.
  8. Labor Day marks the perceived end of the summer season.
  9. Can you wear white after labor day? This old tradition goes back to the late Victorian era, where it was a fashion faux pas to wear any white clothing after the summer officially ended on Labor Day, however, this tradition isn’t really followed anymore, so feel free to wear white after Labor Day!
  10. Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog season! Yes, you read that right! The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says that between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans will eat more than 7 billion hot dogs! Who knew???

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”- Confucius

We would like to wish all our family, friends and clients a very happy and safe Labor Day Holiday.

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