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September 06, 2010

Labor Day


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.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful Labor Day... hugs!

Opaque said...

Have a nice Labor Day holiday!

Rock Chef said...

Have a great day!

We used to celebrate May Day, but it is not an official holiday these days - it was felt that it was too linked with communism...

Brian Miller said...

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...

Gary's third pottery blog said...

we might lose the labor day holiday, i wonder why?

savannah said...

enjoy the day, sugar! we plan on doing the same. xoxox

Lori said...

Thank 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.

Happy Labor day to you as well. I hope you and yours have a most wonderful day. XX

DJan said...

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!

TALON said...

Have a fabulous day, TechnoBabe!

Unknown said...

Have a great day. :) (and you are correct, she is way too young) ha ha ha

Kristina P. said...

Born a few years after that. You kill me.

Happy Labor day!

Anne H said...

The Happiest of Labor Days to you and yours!

Momma Fargo said...

Happy Labor Day! Born a few days later. LMAO

Bob Bushell said...

Happy labour day.

Kulio said...

haha, you were born a few years after that?? :-)

oh 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 :-)

Tess Kincaid said...

Happy Labor Day!

secret agent woman said...

Since I am self-employed, I don't get a paid day off. But I still take it to be home with the kids.

Maude Lynn said...

For that matter, there might not be a work force!

Have a great holiday, Techno!

Unknown said...

hope your day was awesome.

Liz Mays said...

Thank you for the reminder of why we have this day to begin with!

Hilary said...

A lovely ode to the day. I hope yours was wonderful. Happy LaboUr Day from your neighboUr to the north. ;)

Bill Lisleman said...

Now you have wondering what is behind you thinking there might not be a Labor Day in the future.

Hope you had a great day.

MikeWJ at Too Many Mornings said...

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.

Pseudo said...

I work hard and totally enjoyed my extra day off. Thank-you.

Kazzy said...

I labored today, cleaning my closet! I hope you had a nice long weekend!

Syd said...

I enjoyed every moment of it. And I am glad to be retired!

Ed Pilolla said...

i worked my ass off on labor, and was so glad to. i had a great day.
interesting how the struggle of laborers isn't as celebrated in the us with the same pomp that veterans' days is.
isn't it?