Happy Labor Day!

To most, Labor Day represents the grand finale of summer - a time to gather with family and friends for one last BBQ, pool party, or boating trip. (After which, reaching for the white clothing in your closet is met with apprehension although most fashionistas have squashed that myth). 

Here's the real meaning of Labor Day. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Some Labor Day facts:

When was the first Labor Day celebrated?  The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City,

When did it change to the first Monday in September? On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

Learn more about the history of Labor Day on the Department of Labor website here.

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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