The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882.
It was at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
Back then, a typical work day was a 12-hour day, and get this…. 7 days a week!
(I guess the upside is there was no such thing as the Sunday Scaries?)
The conditions were miserable and the work was often dangerous.
So as a reaction to these working conditions, a Labor Movement was formed to change things.
As part of that movement, Labor Day was created as a day to celebrate all of the progress that American laborers had made.
So today, I celebrate you.
If you’re out there earning, you’re an American laborer (even if you’re no longer doing hard labor in a factory).
You’re out there grinding day in and day out, moving the world forward inch by inch.
So thanks for doing what you do.
Enjoy your day off. You earned it!
