By By Brian Giles Publisher
For a lot of people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer. But why is it called Labor Day? Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.
Labor unions themselves celebrated the first labor days in the United States. Some historians credit Peter McGuire, a leader of the carpenters union, with the original idea of a day for workers to show their solidarity. The first Labor Day parade occurred Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. The workers' unions chose the first Monday in September because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. The idea spread across the country, and some states designated Labor Day as a holiday before the federal holiday was created.
President Grover Cleveland signed a law designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day nationwide. This is interesting because Cleveland was not a labor union supporter. In fact, he was trying to repair some political damage that he suffered earlier that year when he sent federal troops to put down a strike by the American Railway Union at the Pullman Co. in Chicago. That action resulted in the deaths of 34 workers.
Membership in labor unions in the United States reached an all-time high in the 1950s when about 40 percent of the work force belonged to unions. Today, union membership is about 14 percent of the working population.
Even though Labor Day now carries less union significance it is still a celebration of working people. Most schools, government offices and businesses are closed on Labor Day so people can enjoy a day of leisure. Most try to get in one last trip to the beach or have one last cookout before the official end of summer.
Enjoy the extended weekend, but use caution when on the roadways over the Labor Day holiday. Due to the increased traffic and alcohol consumption the Alabama State Troopers are predicting 12 deaths on Alabama roadways.
Buckle up, be safe and designate a driver if you are planning to drink alcoholic beverages.
Have a safe holiday and enjoy your day off work.
Brian Giles is publisher of the Atmore Advance and may be reached at 368-2123 or email at brian.giles@atmoreadvance.com