What is Labor Day?

Question

im sorry, but me and my friend are confused about it and need help. its something where u do labor, such as work...right?

Answer 1

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Answer 2

Labor Day (United States)
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This article is about the holiday in the United States. "Labor Day" redirects here. For other annual labor observances, see Labour Day. For observances on May 1, see May Day.
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday of September. In 2006, Labor Day will be September 4.

The origins of the American Labor Day can be traced back to the Knights of Labor in the United States and a parade organized by them on September 5, 1882 in New York City. They were inspired by an annual labor parade held in Toronto, Canada. In 1884 another parade was held, and the Knights passed resolutions to make this an annual event. Other labor organizations (and there were many), but notably the affiliates of the International Workingmen's Association favored a May 1 holiday. With the event of Chicago's Haymarket riots in early May of 1886, president Grover Cleveland believed that a May 1 holiday could become an opportunity to commemorate the riots. Thus, fearing that it might strengthen the socialist movement, he quickly moved in 1887 to support the position of the Knights of Labor and their date for Labor Day.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The September date has remained unchanged, even though the government was encouraged to adopt May 1 as Labor Day, the date celebrated by the majority of the world. Moving the holiday, in addition to breaking with tradition, could have been viewed as aligning the U.S. labor movements with internationalist sympathies.

Labor Day is generally regarded simply as a day of rest and, unlike May Day, political demonstrations are rare. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water activities, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. Some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, of late, schools have begun well before Labor Day, up to the 15th of August in many urban districts, including Nashville and Atlanta.

One of the largest modern traditions of Labor Day in the United States is the annual telethon of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, hosted by Jerry Lewis to fund research and patient support programs for the various diseases grouped as muscular dystrophy. The telethon raises tens of millions of dollars each year. In 2005, despite the recent catastrophe caused by Hurricane Katrina, nearly $55 million was raised over 21 hours.

Answer 3

Labor Day, legal holiday honoring workers, celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September. The observance includes parades and speeches reviewing labor’s contributions to society. In most of Europe the first of May—May Day—is set aside as a day to honor workers.

II. ORIGINS OF LABOR DAY IN THE UNITED STATES
Child Labor
For years Labor Day was an occasion not only to honor the achievements of labor but also to draw public attention to the plight of workers and such problems as child labor. These boys, documented in a photograph by Lewis Hine, were working long hours in an American textile mill in the early 1900s.

Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and union leader, generally receives credit for suggesting a holiday to honor workers in 1882. McGuire chose the September date to give workers a holiday midway through the long stretch between Independence Day (July 4) and Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November). The first Labor Day observance was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. Thousands of workers marched in a parade from City Hall to Union Square. Afterward, they gathered in a park with their families for a picnic and speeches.

In 1887 Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day a legal holiday. Other states soon followed. Early Labor Day parades were demonstrations in support of an eight-hour workday. During the 1800s most laborers worked long hours at low pay.

III. LABOR DAY BECOMES A FEDERAL HOLIDAY

In 1894 the United States Congress passed legislation that made Labor Day a federal holiday, and President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law. That year, railway workers in Pullman, Illinois, had gone on strike to protest wage cuts. Cleveland sent in federal troops to end the strike. Strikers were killed, and their leaders were jailed. Congress and the president hoped to pacify labor with the holiday.

IV. LABOR DAY OBSERVANCES

For some time Labor Day remained a time not only to commemorate labor’s contributions but also to draw public attention to the plight of workers and the struggle of labor unions to improve working conditions. Parades in which workers march with their local union and at which labor leaders give speeches are still a major feature of Labor Day in many U.S. towns and cities. One of the largest Labor Day parades in the United States takes place in New York City.

To many Americans, however, Labor Day signals the end of summer vacations and the start of a new school year. Many families observe Labor Day by gathering for the last picnic of summer or the season’s final trip to the beach.

Answer 4

its to honor people who do physical labor and support the others who do nothing but sit on their asses and make phone calls. you will find that most of the jobs in our country revolve around something that has been done by someone else. salesmen, distributors, management, office personell, advertisement people, ect. are all sucking off of the american worker. we do the work and they make the money. the least they can do is give us 1 day.

Answer 5

It's a holiday celebrating the great work performed by American workers.

Answer 6

it is a day where hard working people can take a day,if you work a good job they give off with pay.if not most people have to work to pay the bills.

Answer 7

"It is we who plowed the prairies, built the cities where they trade,
Dug the mines and built the workshops, miles and miles of railroad laid,
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made,
But the union makes us strong.
Solidarity forever, solidarity forever, solidarity forever, the union makes us strong."

Answer 8

The day you, and the rest of us, were born!

Answer 9

Don't believe them, it's the day when all pregnant women have to push together and go into Labour. Would I lie to you????

Answer 10

Thats right.