The term “Labor Day” is an interesting title. It doesn’t sound so good in and of itself, does it? I decided to do a little research to find how this holiday originated. The following is an excerpt from http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/laborday.htm:

“One of the main issues of concern pertained to labor conditions. Workers were tired of long hours, low pay and uncertain jobs. They spoke of organizing themselves into a union of laborers to improve their working conditions. In the spring of 1872, Peter McGuire and 100,000 workers went on strike and marched through the streets, demanding a decrease in the long working day.

This event convinced Peter that an organized labor movement was important for the future of workers’ rights. He spent the next year speaking to crowds of workers and unemployed people, lobbying the city government for jobs and relief money. It was not an easy road for Peter McGuire. He became known as a “disturber of the public peace.” The city government ignored his demands. Peter himself could not find a job in his trade. He began to travel up and down the east coast to speak to laborers about unionizing. In 1881, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and began to organize carpenters there. He organized a convention of carpenters in Chicago, and it was there that a national union of carpenters was founded. He became General Secretary of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

The idea of organizing workers according to their trades spread around the country. Factory workers, dock workers and toolmakers all began to demand and get their rights to an eight-hour workday, a secure job and a future in their trades. Peter McGuire and laborers in other cities planned a holiday for workers on the first Monday in September, halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.

On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read “LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH,” and “EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!” After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day. In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday.”

Quite a history to take us from the 1800’s to where we are today. I wince when I read about the long hours those poor people worked. However, I also wince today when I see how hard so many people are working in our country. Long, long hours. Long hours at the office/job followed by continued work at home, thanks to technology that extends the work into the home. Long hours that rob from the “eight hours for rest” and “eight hours for recreation.” Long hours that rob from the spouse and the children and from the nurturance of self.

My wish for you is that you give yourself permission to take some time off from “labor” this holiday weekend to refresh and renew you and your loved ones. The “labor” will still be there waiting for you when you return. Make this weekend a “labor of love” – for you and all who are dear to you. Go out and make some memories that you can carry around in your heart for the rest of your lives. Have a happy holiday weekend!  :  )