Happy Labor Day, friends! Have you wondered what is Labor Day and why we celebrate this day? Today has a different meaning behind Labor Day than those who originated the holiday. We know it is the first Monday of every September and the unofficial end to summer. Kids are back to school and most families have enjoyed vacations, family reunions, and other activities, at least for northern folks comes to a close as the weather becomes cooler, and the days are noticeably shorter.
Need some party items for Labor Day
Back to School
However, the true meaning behind Labor Day stems from workers in the 19th century fighting for shorter hours consisting of 8 hours 6 days a week. Now we, thanks to many labor unions, have established 40-hour work weeks.
After much upheaval and strikes in the mid 1800’s economists thought this was a great idea, so workers had the opportunity to purchase goods and services, thus helping the economy.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s that Labor Day to be celebrated as we do today. Oregon being the first state to make it an official public holiday. Before the signing into law, they were proposing Labor Day to be recognized in May as May Day, but law makers thought it would be remembered as the Haymarket affair, which at first started as a peaceful strike turned bloody.
In 1894 Democratic President Grover Cleveland signed this law for the first Monday of September to be a United States Federal Holiday.
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In biblical times, the apostle Paul had said, let there be dignity in all legitimate work and no one to be superior or inferior to anyone. We know as servants of God we work for the Lord. Exodus 20:9 (ESV) Six days you shall labor and do all your work. Matthew 11:28 (ESV) Come to me, all who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
A dear friend of mine said she wasn’t happy with her work. Although successful, she recognized the importance behind earning a living. If you don’t work, you won’t afford the life you want to live. Therefore, she put all she had into her job 5 days a week so she could afford to thrive in today’s world and pursue her passions while raising her daughter as a single parent.
How do you view work?
What are our plans this Labor Day?
Feel free to comment below, share your thoughts below and please do share as we celebrate the fruits of our labor.
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