[quote]By Kiera Donovan
Online Writer
Graphic by Drew Danko
[/quote]

Much like President’s Day, Memorial Day, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are holidays that are remembered simply because the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t deliver mail, and big retailers host weekend sales. Labor Day is not an exception to this lack of appreciation.

A last minute weekend getaway, The Last Fling, barbeques, or sleeping in on a Monday are the first things to come to mind when thinking about Labor Day weekend.

Metea students are finding ways to enjoy this end of summer holiday. “My uncle’s wedding is this Labor Day weekend,” senior Karan Ahuja said. “My family and his family live far away, so the extra days off makes it easier for everyone.”

Although many take advantage of the extended weekend in the beginning of September, Labor Day is more than catching up on a show or enjoying the last weekend at the pool.

The labor workers of 1882 began the difficult task of creating a national holiday for themselves. It took 12 years to legalize the first Monday of September as their break from the back breaking lifestyle that was endured in order to keep a roof over their heads. Not only was this holiday meant as a calm break to spend with family and friends, it was intended to be a mass celebration with the morning to sleep in, then enjoy the parades in honor of under appreciated workers.

Mustangs know how they’re spending the holiday, but most don’t know how it was started or why.

Out of the five people interviewed for this story, only one person knew how and why Labor Day became a holiday. There is no better time than now, with the U.S. economy recovering from the great recession, for us to celebrate and remember those unsung heroes that work tirelessly to support our nation. Recognizing the importance of how the holidays came to be will support us in the future reconstruction of the American economy. As many of us Mustangs are becoming members of the working force ourselves, it is up to not just the adults and members of labor unions to honor holidays like Labor Day, now we need to honor the past as well.