Tomorrow, Monday, September 7th, people all over the USA will celebrate Labor Day. In fact, the entire long weekend is festive and companies use this occasion to offer sales on their products as well as services. But what do you really know about the history of this holiday? Other than the fact that it takes place on the first Monday of September and that it symbolizes the end of summer.
Labor Day History
The history of labor day is tough, because it talks about a time when workers felt unsafe and were overworked just to earn a basic living. Unfortunately, many still live like this today. But that’s a topic for another time, where I will sing my praises for countries that offer 6 hour work days or 4 day work weeks. Anyway…
“In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.”
History.com
Obviously, people got sick of living like this so they began protesting and the protests turned violent. This included the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it.
You can read more about the details of the events that led up to it here. Or watch the video below!
Labor Day Today
Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season. As I already mentioned, it is also a popular time for sales . If you live in America you are probably already have an inbox full of Labor Day Weekend Sales spam. I may be spamming you a bit myself at the end of this article…
Summary
This year, Americans will not be able to enjoy Labor Day like they normally do. In fact, I already saw various articles about the fear of what this will do to the number of COVID cases in the country. Beaches are expected to be swarmed and social distancing plus mask regulations will likely be ignored. You can still enjoy your day off safely by going to less crowded beaches, wearing a mask while in a crowd, or simply BBQing in your own backyard while a safe distance from your friends and family. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to celebrating this great holiday!
Bonus Jewelry:
Of course, we are taking advantage of this holiday! Until midnight on Monday, September 7th, you can enjoy a sale of 20% off if you buy 3 or more items on Everyfelt! We sell a lot of fun earrings and have a bunch of new Halloween and Day of the Dead earrings for the upcoming holidays.
