First celebrated in 1882, Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894 when a Congressional Act was passed in response to the death of several workers at the hands of the military and U.S. Marshals in the Pullman Strike (led by Hoosier Eugene V. Debs). President Grover Cleveland, somewhat guilty over ordering force to end the strike in Chicago, signed the law to help mollify the labor movement in the wake of this event.
Labor Day has become a day for many to relax and enjoy one final cookout, dip in the pool, or round of golf. Parades have been a part of the Labor Day tradition nearly since it started. So, go watch a parade (the Labor Day Parade is downtown on Saturday morning), and, if you have the day off, enjoy Labor Day. Just give some thought to those workers who passed away in the Pullman Strike as well as the struggles organized labor face each day to make life better for laborers across the country.
I am going to take a few days off from blogging. I hope you enjoy a few days off if you're able. See you back here on Tuesday!
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