Monday Market Update: 5 Things You May Not Know About Labor Day
It’s time for a little holiday break on our blog – but what does this celebration really mean?
‘Tis the season when white pants and shoes go out of style and pumpkin spice lattes return. Labor Day weekend marks the start of the season that we treat like fall, even though the official autumnal equinox isn’t until September 22nd.
In the past our blog has covered facts and stats about real estate as an occupation – but this year we are bringing the day back to its roots and revealing 5 things you may not know about this day.
#1: The first Labor Day occurred in 1882 in New York City under the direction of that city’s Central Labor Union. They wanted to create an event that brought different types of workers together to meet each other and recognize their common interests, however, no one was actually ‘off’ of work that day so the only way to ‘celebrate’ was to declare a one-day strike in the city!
#2: Labor Day emerged in the late 1800s when manufacturing workers were regularly putting in 60-70 hours a week and working 7 days. Original Labor Day goals were to give workers holidays off and to reduce the workday to 8 hours and the week to just 6 workdays.
#3: In the early 1900s as the US economy expanded beyond manufacturing and farming, politicians and business owners advocated giving workers more time off. People were working so much there was no time to spend. Thus, another theme behind Labor Day was actually turning workers into consumers.
#4: Labor Day has not been and still is not a non-workday for everyone. The Congress proclamation of the Labor Day Bill covers only federal employees. Private employers are not required to give workers the day off. Countless retail employees, transportation, protection, medical and law enforcement professionals work every Labor Day and many other holidays too.
#5: Modern day proponents of celebrating Labor Day encourage workers to use this day as a time to truly disconnect from work, in an era where our smart phones and watches keep us constantly connected to business matters.
What does Labor Day mean to you? Do you feel we have lost the spirit of the Labor Day movements that built this holiday? How do you plan to celebrate?
Resources Used:
Have we forgotten the true meaning of Labor Day?
Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate, Bobbi Decker & Associates
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