Pre-boomers Salute America’s Workers
Most pre-boomers remember the days when Labor Day was a holiday that allowed hard-working people to have a day off and be recognized for the contributions they made to this nation. This was especially welcomed by the men and women working in the defense plants around the country during WWII. Unfortunately, those in the armed forces didn’t get the day off, and their recognition had to wait until the victory was won.
On this Labor Day, let’s take a moment to re-visit the history of what is now a national holiday. It actually began in Canada in the early 1870s and prompted the Trade Union Act of 1872. This inspired a Labor Day in New York later the same year to protest working conditions in the city.
The first Labor Day celebration took place in 1892 and became an official holiday in 1894. This legislation was rushed through by President Grover Cleveland as a means of political reconciliation with labor following the deaths of workers in the infamous Pullman strike. The president wanted to make this an American day rather than be identified with any
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international events. Globally, the working man’s holiday was generally was celebrated on May first as opposed to the first Monday in September. May Day is currently associated with the world-wide labor movement, and often with Socialism and Communism.
Here in the states, the day was initially celebrated with picnics and featured speeches by prominent local figures, including the management of the companies sponsoring the day’s festivities. In short order, politicians saw these gatherings as the perfect forum to reach the working man. So Labor Day became the beginning of the political campaign season, concluding on the first Tuesday of November. Today, with 24/7 news cycles and large marketing war chests, candidates have extended the campaign season all the way back to the spring primaries; therefore Labor Day does not have the political significance it once had. Although it signals the start of the last leg of the journey to the elections.
Today Americans celebrate Labor Day as the official end of summer. In the big cities of the northeast, there is a fashion rule that white shoes and handbags are out of style after Labor Day. The day marks the beginning of the school year. And, it signifies the kickoff of the college and the NFL football seasons.
We’ve come a long way since first setting aside this day to commemorate the value of the workers who built this country of ours and those who continue to keep it running. But don’t forget that the overwhelming majority of pre-boomers came from working class families. Remember what our grandfathers, fathers, and uncles did for us through their sweat and sacrifice so we could have a better life. This Labor Day, let’s be thankful that through persistence and hard work the American dream is still attainable for future generations. It was alive for us, and we have the responsibility to see it remains that way for them.
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