The first Labor Day in the United States was observed in 1882 to celebrate various labor associations' strengths and contributions to the United States economy. I was born a few years after that, but Labor Day was a day for celebrating whether you were wealthy or living in poverty. Labor Day is a state holiday in all fifty states in the US. Our neighbors to the north in Canada also celebrate Labor Day on the same day.
According to the website of the US Dept of Labor, "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."
There are still some things to be grateful for in this country. I worked many years and now am privileged to be retired. Instead of pointing out things I disagree with or feel sad about, I prefer to dwell on positive issues this Labor Day.
My wish is that people who work for someone else or are self employed enjoy this holiday. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, even if it is one day off work. Things are changing and some day there may no longer be a national holiday for the work force.
Photo courtesy of 123greetings.com.
Have a wonderful Labor Day... hugs!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Labor Day holiday!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
ReplyDeleteWe used to celebrate May Day, but it is not an official holiday these days - it was felt that it was too linked with communism...
happy labor day techno! hope you enjoy it yourself and spend it with those that you care for...yes times are changing..and today maybe i ma celebrating just the opportunity to labor...
ReplyDeletewe might lose the labor day holiday, i wonder why?
ReplyDeleteenjoy the day, sugar! we plan on doing the same. xoxox
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of what this day is all about. I am thankful that my husband and I both have jobs to labor at and even though we both will work today we still appreciate our ability to work.
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor day to you as well. I hope you and yours have a most wonderful day. XX
Great post, TB. I have been sitting here in bed pondering the disruption a holiday causes to my life here in retirement: no buses, no gym classes, I have to wait until tomorrow to resume my daily activities. I'll sit here and listen to the rain and read my blogs instead. And be glad I got to retire from the work force!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day, TechnoBabe!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day. :) (and you are correct, she is way too young) ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteBorn a few years after that. You kill me.
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor day!
The Happiest of Labor Days to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor Day! Born a few days later. LMAO
ReplyDeleteHappy labour day.
ReplyDeletehaha, you were born a few years after that?? :-)
ReplyDeleteoh and I'm positive my parents will adopt you. Just show up some Thanksgiving and honestly nobody would notice there are so many of us :-)
Happy Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteSince I am self-employed, I don't get a paid day off. But I still take it to be home with the kids.
ReplyDeleteFor that matter, there might not be a work force!
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday, Techno!
hope your day was awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder of why we have this day to begin with!
ReplyDeleteA lovely ode to the day. I hope yours was wonderful. Happy LaboUr Day from your neighboUr to the north. ;)
ReplyDeleteNow you have wondering what is behind you thinking there might not be a Labor Day in the future.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great day.
I had the best weekend of the summer--perhaps of this year--this weekend. Maybe your good thoughts had something to do with it. I hope so, anyway. God knows there's enough negativity out there to last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI work hard and totally enjoyed my extra day off. Thank-you.
ReplyDeleteI labored today, cleaning my closet! I hope you had a nice long weekend!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed every moment of it. And I am glad to be retired!
ReplyDeletei worked my ass off on labor, and was so glad to. i had a great day.
ReplyDeleteinteresting how the struggle of laborers isn't as celebrated in the us with the same pomp that veterans' days is.
isn't it?