TomLoveTexas: Labor Day From Wikipedia

History

In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York.^[1] Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882,^[2] after witnessing the annual labor festival held in Toronto, Canada.^[3]
Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.^[2] Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with Reyes, leader of the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.^[4] The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers' Day.^[5] All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

Pattern of celebration

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations",^[1] followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.^[1]
The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years.^[6] Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.End of summer
Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white^[8] or seersucker.^[9]^[10]
In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.
In the U.S., most school districts that started summer vacation in early June will resume school the day after this day (see First Day of School), while schools that had summer vacation begin on the Saturday before Memorial Day in late May will have already been in session since late August. However this tradition is changing as many school districts end in early June and begin mid-August.^[11]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

Labor Day Numbers

(CNN) -- Labor Day is a holiday many American workers eagerly anticipate -- a three-day weekend, and a respite from work to relax and celebrate with friends and family. As you're calculating how many bags of buns you need to go with that jumbo pack of hot dogs at your barbecue (they never seem to match up), here are some other Labor Day numbers to contemplate.

33 million: Americans who plan to travel at least 50 miles over Labor Day weekend this year, according to AAA.

14 cents: Average increase in the price of a gallon of gas since AAA's 2011 Labor Day forecast.

155.2 million: Number of people 16 years and older who are in the labor force.

85: Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health care insurance during all or part of 2010.

39.7 million: Number of people who the Department of Labor helped through the Employment and Training Administration programs.

58: Percent who think it's OK to wear white after Labor Day according to a nonscientific poll.

685,000: Number of workers who were placed into new jobs through the Workforce Investment Act Adult and Dislocated Worker programs.

1.674 million: Veterans who were helped by the Department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) in 2010.

473,700: Number of veteran workers entering into employment.

25.3 minutes: Average commute time in 2010. Maryland has the longest commute in the country, with an average time of 31.8 minutes. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey, Table R0801)

3.2 million: Number of workers whose commutes were 90 or more minutes each day in 2010.

$47,715: 2010 real median full-time earnings for males.

$36,931: 2010 real median full-time earnings for females.

29.2: Percent difference in men's and women's earnings.

11.8: Percentage of workers who were members of a union in 2011.

30: Percentage reduction of overall family summer travel from May through September.