What Do You Think of When You Hear “Labor Day”?
Labor Day came about after labor activists started to demand recognition of the work that they put in day-to-day and the contributions they’ve made to America’s strength and well-being. The prosperity that the nation has seen didn’t just appear. It came from the work of strong, determined, and strong-willed individuals that came before us, and on Labor Day, we honor them and we bring attention to them and what they’ve done.
The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the late 19th century, a time when the labor force was facing numerous challenges, including excessively long workdays, low wages, and hazardous working conditions. The labor movement gained momentum as workers united to demand better treatment.
The first Labor Day parade was organized by the Central Labor Union in New York City on September 5, 1882, when at least 10,000 workers showed up just to participate. and it marked not just a day off, but a demonstration of unity and strength among the working class. Since then, the holiday continued to develop and since its start, it has served as a reminder of the continued fight for workers’ rights, fair treatment, and proper recognition.
While Labor Day is often associated with parades and picnics, it’s also an opportunity to connect across generations and include seniors in your celebrations and you can do this in any way that you think would be meaningful.
