Labor Day

I know that this is a great day, it gives me and most working Americans a long weekend. But I realized I really didn't know why or when it was created. So of course I head off to my trusty interent and here is what I found on Wiki:

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.

History was never my favorite subject in school and I must of missed this in my American History class. Bad me!

So President Cleveland did this mainly to avoid conflict, which is a good thing, but now, over 100 years later we are still celebrating it. I think it is a good holiday, not a hallmark holiday like Valentine's day, but a tribute to those of us getting up every morning and trotting off to work, doing our part to make American the great place it is.

So the reward of a day off in recognition of that is good.

A lot of people like to celebrate with picnics, or gatherings in the park. And a lot of people see it as the end of summer. And in reality it is. But that isn't a bad thing, seasons change and time marches on. But for that day of the year we still celebrate the working man and enjoy the wonders of summer.

So, however you celebrate it, take a moment and if you are one of the working masses, pat yourself on the back and say good job. We deserve this day.