Nobody really celebrates Labor Day. What is the point of it?

Answer 1

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday of September. In 2006, Labor Day occurred on 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. Many other labor organizations, 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 sports, 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.

According to Howard Zinn in his research in A People's History of the United States, the original parade in 1882 organized by the Knights of Labor had a loose affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan, a main reason why the more progressive supporters of a labor parade preferred the May Day march.

Answer 2

If no one celebrates it, why is there a huge party going on next door?
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.

Labor Day is a national legal holiday that is over 100 years old. Over the years, it has evolved from a purely labor union celebration into a general "last fling of summer" festival.
It grew out of a celebration and parade in honor of the working class by the Knights of Labor in 1882 in New York. In 1884, the Knights held a large parade in New York City celebrating the working class. The parade was held on the first Monday in September. The Knights passed a resolution to hold all future parades on the same day, designated by them as Labor Day.

The Socialist Party held a similar celebration of the working class on May 1. This date eventually became known as May Day, and was celebrated by Socialists and Communists in commemoration of the working man. In the U.S., the first Monday in September was selected to reject any identification with Communism.

Answer 3

I think the unions in this country might be quite upset that you said no one celebrates the hoiliday. It's a day to relax from the American lifestyle of work work work. The unions in this nation celebrate it by giving unionized workers who actually do end up workin on this day double pay, as with the other 6 official National Holidays of America.

Why don't you just relax and go back to your scheduled life.

Answer 4

Just becuase it isn't celebrated like Christmas, doesn't mean it isn't still a holiday. Here in MI people walk across the Mackinaw Bridge in celebration. Familys get a day to spend together and have a good dinner or Barbeque. Its that last little vacation before winter starts to set in!

Answer 5

Labor Day is a legal holiday to honor labor

Answer 6

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Answer 7

How about Day Labor?

At least it gives you a DAY off from your LABOR. (most people anyway)

(smile)

Answer 8

I love Labor Day. Today, I went over and kicked my neighbors butt in football.

Answer 9

I celebrated it. The only way you can't celebrate it is by working. Did you work?

Answer 10

Yes, we celebrate by not having to go to work!