Labor (sic) Day

Whereas the last weekend in August is traditionally a UK long weekend, things differ slightly here with today, the first Monday of September being a bank holiday - it's official designation being Labor Day (i don't know about anyone else but I still can't get used to the lack of a 'u'). Curious as to what this meant, i asked a number of American colleagues if they could shed light on the matter - but to no avail as they had as much of an idea as I did (actually, maybe even less) - evidently, it is now so entrenched in US customs that the history behind it has 'gone missing'. Turning to that old standby (the "Ask Jeeves" website), i managed to track down the story behind the holiday.

Labor Day was created by the labor movement and constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the USA - essentially a big 'Yay' to the workforce. The first Labor Day holiday was actually celebrated on a Tuesday - September 5, 1882 (exactly 123 years ago today i should add) in New York City and it wasn't until two years later that the official designation of the first September Monday was given. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886 - and as time passed, government recognition of the holiday grew. The first statewide legislation was passed in Oregon on Feb 21st 1887 and was followed that years by four more states (New York, Colorado, Massachusetts and New Jersey). By 1894, a further 26 states has recognised the holiday and on June 28th of that year, Congress passed an act making the day a legal holiday in the District of Colombia and the territories.

All this makes me wonder. With many of the UK grumbling about not having enough bank holidays (an extra one between the August and Christmas holidays is often suggested), perhaps we should get the Trade and Worker's Unions working on it. After all, it'd give them something USEFUL to do for a change. Happy Labor Day, people!!