On the first Monday of September, schools and businesses shut their doors for labor day. It is a day to commemorate labor union efforts for workers’ rights. Americans seem to use it more as a way to spend quality time with their families.
Labor unions fought hard against grueling conditions and unfair wages during the rise of industrialization in the mid-eighteenth century. To honor the efforts of labor unions, Congress passed an act which would declare the first Monday in September a day of rest to honor all of our workers, making it a legal holiday on June 28, 1894.
However, according to the U.S. Department Of Labor, it was celebrated many years before this official date. Labor Day was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City by the Central Labor Union. Labor union workers would spend the day in the park, chatting, singing, and simply having fun. They also held signs, protesting for 8-hour work days, 5-day work weeks, and overall better working conditions.
Over a century after the first Labor Day, workers and students view it very differently than originally intended. Labor laws and workers’ rights have greatly improved since then. Americans no longer feel as connected to the struggles of labor unions in the 1800s. Due to societal changes, The holiday became a day for leisure celebrated with barbecues, picnics, family outings, and trips. This holiday is seen as a symbol of the end of summer.
“Labor day has become a nice way to transition back into the school year by giving a three day weekend near the first few weeks of school. It is always something to look forward to as an end of summer celebration and kick off to the fall season,” AP US History teacher Elizabeth Molla said. From 1894 to 1915, workers in the United States began to have more leisure time than previous years. This continued focus on having better work-life balance transformed the holiday from honoring labor activism into a holiday celebrated with outdoor activities, and community and family events.
Metea families spend the long weekend participating in activities such as the Last Fling festival in Downtown Naperville, having a barbeque and swimming with people they love.
“I am from Naperville, so I have always spent time going to the Last Fling with my friends and family. And, I enjoy taking my small children now. We also typically have a family BBQ and swim. Really just spending time relaxing outside with friends and family.“ Mrs.Molla said.
Some Metea students will utilize Labor Day as a day to reconnect with their family members. “
As sophomore Olivia says, she mentions how the long weekend for her is a great time to relax, and more importantly she is thankful for her father getting a day off. She feels that the extra day with her father is something she holds dear as they get to spend more time together.
Today, Labor Day is still an important marker in American life. It’s become a unique celebration that blends the recognition of labor achievements and currently a symbol of family celebration.
